No 'beer hawkers' for Naperville Ribfest
Ribfest organizers wanted to offer "beer hawkers" at this summer's festival, stationed at the outside of main stage viewing areas, to serve drinks more conveniently to customers frustrated with long beer tent lines.
But the idea likely will get started this summer with only water and pop available from volunteers at multiple locations, Ribfest Chairwoman Jennifer Odin Cavalier said.
"Our envisioning of this is a convenience for folks," she said.
Facing a bevy of questions from liquor commission members about how the festival would prevent overconsumption and underage purchases if beer were more widely available, Cavalier agreed to limit the beverage "hawker" idea to nonalcoholic drinks.
"That will be an easier concept," she said.
If organizers implement the idea, Cavalier said volunteers will stand on the outside of stage viewing areas with coolers of pop and water, accepting tickets for drinks just as they would do at beverage tents.
Liquor commission member Diana Williams described the setup not like roving vendors at a baseball game, but as "convenience stations" for fans trying not to lose their spot on the Knoch Park lawn to hear a certain band. So far, 3 Doors Down is performing Friday, July 1, and Sheryl Crow is playing Saturday, July 2.
Ribfest organizers from the Exchange Club of Naperville pitched the beverage "hawker" idea after it was suggested by Miller, a longtime sponsor of the fest. Cavalier said offering more points of sale could make it easier for festivalgoers to quench their thirst, and to spend more at the event, which raises money to fight child abuse and domestic violence.
The festival has donated about $14.5 million in 28 years, with $600,000 being doled out to 45 agencies after last summer's event.
"Our primary goal is to raise more money and give more to the agencies that rely on us," Cavalier said.
More beer sold might equal more money for Naperville-area nonprofits, but Liquor Commissioner and Mayor Steve Chirico said it's best to start by making drinks without alcohol more easily accessible.
"It sounds like a good idea at minimum for water and pop," Chirico said. "Being able to have access to nonalcoholic beverages would be a great asset to the event."