Whatever else Harvest Homecoming does or does not mean, the festival's autumnal timing usually suggests the end of outdoor season. I'm trying to resist this notion, and to continue cycling and walking outdoors for as long as possible. We'll see how that goes. Three weeks of eating- and drinking-related debauchery cost me a couple of pounds. Not a bad trade, actually.
Early numbers on Fringe Fest seem to be pointing toward a wash in terms of money. The longer it rained, the greater the inevitability that proceeds would be mediocre. However, I believe it went well in the intended, artistic sense, and you never feel bad about breaking even if doing so brings new customers and provides the service (something different from the norm in music, beer and food) intended.
One reality impacting all future outdoor Bank Street events is the status of the parking spaces where we've been erecting the tent. In an effort to over-simplify, I'll say merely that the state of Indiana's alcohol dispensing playbook does not lend itself to rationality when it comes to how we serve beers and where visitors are allowed to move. Fair enough, and it's something we all know going into it. Making seating, movement and serving more rational is the goal, so we'll be considering all options this winter.
As we do, I have a question: Does Bank Street Brewhouse really need the ten or so remaining parking places in the lot? Are we ready to be this
urban? If these parking spaces were replaced by something approximating a beer garden, would it be hurting us?
Consider this an all-purpose thread on Harvest Homecoming, Fringe Fest, and related issues. I'll be back later today.
