CLEARFIELD – The Clearfield Fire Department is hosting a different type of fund-raiser this weekend in conjunction with Thrills in the Hills.
The department is running the Beer Garden at the event, selling several types of refreshments from a pavillion near the David H. Litz Grove Stage. Ron Lizotte, chairman of the refreshment committee for Thrills in the Hills, said the proceeds raised this weekend will likely be used to purchase a new engine for Clearfield Borough’s Second Ward.
“We’re hoping that when we get done paying the bills, we’ll have around $25,000.” Lizotte said.
Lizotte said the Beer Garden has several types of drinks available, from beer in cans and in aluminum bottles, to Bacardi Silver malt drinks and even water. Lizotte said the fire company kept prices at $2 each for alcoholic drinks and $1 each for water. “We wanted to give them a good deal,” he said.
Those who partake in adult-type refreshments at the park will be greeted by a person who will swipe their identification card through a machine to verify that they are 21 years of age or older.
This machine is the one being used by the Clearfield Fire Department to verify the ages of those who make purchases from the Beer Garden. The machine reads the strip on the back of identification cards to ensure that only those who are 21 or older can purchase alcoholic beverages. (Photo by Dawn Walls)
Lizotte said that after making an alcohol purchase, those who attend Thrills in the Hills are free to walk througout the Clearfield Driving Park with their beverage.
“We got away from the draft beer,” Lizotte said, noting that people seem to prefer single-serving beverages. With the help of Tractor Supply Co., the cans and bottles are staying cool thanks to donated aluminum tubs.
The Beer Garden, which is also the site of the fire company’s other fund-raiser (rip-off tickets), is staffed by volunteers from the Clearfield community.
Lizotte said that although some people don’t like the idea of alcohol sales at the event, it is something expected at an event such as Thrills in the Hills. “If you go to any kind of motorcycle show, you’re going to have beer.”
He said the people he met during last year’s Chrome at the Dome were “some of the nicest people” he has ever seen.
“They’re just common people who like motorcycles.”
The Beer Garden will be in operation Friday until midnight. It opens Saturday at 10 a.m. and closes at midnight. Sunday hours are 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.
