BLOOMSBURG, Pa. — For the first time in 169 years, beer is now being sold at the Bloomsburg Fair.
"Our stands have been fuller than ever; in fact, we had a sold-out show for Riley Green on Saturday night, 8,415 people there. It was a good beer-drinking night, good beer-drinking crowd," said Brian Wawroski, Grandstand Superintendent.
Despite the fair being open for only one weekend, organizers are already seeing that adding beer to the menu is adding cash to the fair's budget.
"We have seen just in the first two nights that we've had beer sales at the grandstand that it is going to be profitable and we're hoping to use that profit to bring in better acts, bring in better acts and more entertainment," said Leigh Ann Hunter, Bloomsburg Fair Treasurer.
Beer is only sold inside the gates at the grandstand at the fair. People are ID'd and are only allowed to buy two drinks at one time.
"Bartenders and people surrounding the bar are RAMP-certified people and understand what alcohol does to people, and that's our main concern; we want everybody to have fun but also be a safe environment," said
And despite it being a cold day, concertgoers still enjoyed a cold one.
"I think it's a good idea to finally have a beer stand, some people like a cold beverage when they're watching the show," said Tim Remaley, Bloomsburg.
"A lot of people like going to festivals and tasting and having wine, just different things, I think it's a great idea," said Diana Archambeau, Elizabethtown.
While many think it's a great idea to have the beer stand, they say it's equally important to drink responsibly.
"I think it's a good idea for concerts and whatnot, and you have to be responsible. You can't drink unless you have a designated driver," said Roger Stonier, New Milford.
"As long as it's controlled and they got a two-beer limit, which is fine by me, everybody's under control, there's a normal place to drink, and everything's fine. So yeah, good idea," said Tom Warner, Hershey.
The Bloomsburg Fair will continue until September 28, with events scheduled daily at the grandstand.
Check out more Bloomsburg Fair stories on WNEP's YouTube.