On Monday, Hellertown Borough Council voted 5-1 to approve a temporary lifting of the Dimmick Park alcohol ban during free concerts in the park this summer.
Beer, wine and wine coolers only will be allowed in the park from approximately 5 to 8 p.m. on the following four dates, when concerts are held at the park bandshell:
- Sunday, June 11
- Sunday, June 25
- Sunday, July 30
- Sunday, Aug. 19
The Hellertown-Lower Saucon Chamber of Commerce’s special events liquor license will be used June 11 and Aug. 19, and the other concert dates will be BYOB.
The chamber is now sponsoring the summer concert series, which was begun by the Hellertown Enhancement Project (HEP).
After expressing a concern about beer bottles being discarded by concert-goers in the park, councilman Mike McKenna voted against the motion.
McKenna suggested only wine and wine coolers and/or beer in plastic cups be permitted, but councilman Herb Payung’s argument that Hellertown is a beer-drinking town and there should be flexibility with regard to beer containers won the day.
This won’t be the first time alcohol has been allowed in Dimmick Park, as it was permitted during the one-day Saucon Harvest Festival in October, when both beer and wine were sold or served in cups.
Councilman John Bate was absent from the meeting.