There are no photos of last evening's concert series opener, at least not as taken by me, because once the taps were opened, I was standing rooted to one spot for four hours schlepping craft beers. Tremendous thanks to David Pierce for pitching in to help throughout, and to Diana for the second half. It proved to be too big an event for just one person -- and that's a good thing, indeed.
Speaking for Irish Exit and River City Winery, I'd say that we did probably twice the drinks volume expected. Plainly it was a bigger crowd than any of last year's Live at 5 shows, and while this may owe in part to the dedication ceremony and ideal weather, my guess is that it reflects the city's and concert promoter's better marketing efforts.
In such a setting, I tend to judge matters by (a) the number of IDs checked (indicating a younger crowd) and (b) how many of them are licenses from Kentucky. There were plenty on both counts Friday night.
Thanks to the patience of the attendees. First night events in a brand new setting are usually logistical nightmares, but most of it worked out okay and can be improved with tweaking. We'll be taking a close look at the layout, and see if there's a way for the perimeter to be adjusted for greater ease of movement. The city is aware of the need for trash cans, and perhaps an extra portable potty. I can attest to a desire on the part of all of us to get the layout dialed in as quickly as possible. Greater efficiency always is the goal.
Readers seeking an opportunity to involve a service or charitable organization to vend non-alcoholic drinks (water, juice, soft drinks) might consider contacting Michael Hall. It could be a way of providing beverages outside the mandated serving area, and make a few bucks for the cause.
Several people asked me about food. The best way to answer this is to note the presence of numerous dining establishments within a block or two walk, all of which surely would be glad to put edibles in a carryout container. You can bring food and drink into the concert series venue, just not alcoholic beverages (the latter is state law, not local decision).
The shows will be running from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Fridays through August (the finale is on August 23).
Previously: BicenPk dedicated prior to opening concert.
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3 comments:
I'm glad some of you have an opportunity to make some of your money back. The expensive, inflexible design of the park hampers its set up potential, but hopefully you all can work it out.
Living in New Albany means making the best of strange days.
From a vendor's perspective, the park is designed as though the possibility wasn't even considered. I realize that much of this owes to the esoteric way the state demands we license ground for beer sales. At the same time ...
But we already knew that. Perhaps the easiest fix would be to situate vendors in the alley by the bank, and use the snow fencing to navigate people from two entry points to the vendors and back.
The landscaping precludes a direct path, but it could be done so long as cars emerging from the drive-thru ATM can still turn right and exit.
Living in New Albany means having this conversation now instead of when it mattered, and still absent any representation among decision makers. That's not strange. It's just dumb.
Now we have a new monument to that and are about to build others. Smile and wave for the cameras.
Like I mentioned, I hope you and some others can at least make some money back. Beats the hell out of shaking your head and wishing it weren't so, trust me.
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