LOWER MERION — Two popular events will be coming back to Ardmore later this year.
Members of a Lower Merion Township committee recommend the board of commissioners vote to approve waivers allowing patrons of two popular events to possess open containers of alcohol in the area of Schauffele Plaza and the parking lot. The waiver is required because of the township ordinance that prohibits open containers of alcohol in public places.
The first event is scheduled for August and is connected to the annual Main Line Bike Race. The race, which will run through the commercial area of Ardmore in August, is a fundraiser for Narberth Ambulance.
The approval would “permit patrons to possess open containers with alcoholic beverages and serve alcoholic beverages on public rights-of-way within regulated areas on August 11, 2024.” The event will run between 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.”
“To ensure safety and security, trained event security personnel, as well as Lower Merion Police, will be present to enforce alcohol regulations and maintain crowd safety,” according to a staff memo to the committee. “Responsible Alcohol Management Program-trained (RAMP) employees will oversee the vending of alcohol on-site. All volunteers and employees will receive contact information for police, medical, and emergency services, and will be equipped with walkie-talkies for efficient communication.
“In the beer garden, individuals aged 21 and above will be required to present identification before being served alcohol. Additionally, each patron in the beer garden will be provided with a wristband for identification purposes. The Police Department has been actively coordinating with the various groups involved in this event and will have officers available as needed on August 11th for the bike race and associated events. In addition to coordination with the Police Department, this event has been reviewed by other Township staff and approved for a special event permit.”
The second event runs a month later in the same area and is connected with the Ardmore Initiative for its Fall for Ardmore event.
The event is scheduled to take place on Sept. 28 between 2 and 6 p.m.
The building and planning committee unanimously recommended that the board approve both waivers. Both waivers are expected to be on the agenda for the next meeting of the Board of Commissioners.
