Wheaton Ale Fest Moves to Bigger, Cheaper Location

The Wheaton Park District will save money when it hosts the second annual Wheaton Ale Fest at Memorial Park on Aug. 2-3.

The park district spent about $9,000 to have the event on Front Street last year, which covered costs for tents, tables and barricades. In turn, it brought in more than $53,000 in revenue.

Cutting costs for barricades to close streets and fees for set up/takedown will save the park district nearly half of what it spent in 2011, said Andy Bendy, director of special facilities for the Wheaton Park District.

Bendy said in addition to renting barricades, the park district paid a $500 fee to set up the event and tear it down and about $1,500 for water barrels to secure tents in the streets.

Mike Benard, executive director of the Wheaton Park District, said it’s easier to rent fences for Memorial Park than to close streets and incur additional costs. Fencing for the park would cost about $1,300, Benard said.

The first Wheaton Ale Fest attracted about 1,600 people. Benard said the new location will allow the park district to double capacity for the event.

Benard said the lack of shade on Front Street was a concern raised after last year’s event. Memorial Park will provide more shade, modern plumbing and an indoor cooling center at the leisure center.

“… So, the benefits outweigh the curb appeal of having it on Front Street," he said.

Wheaton Ale Fest begins at 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 4 in Memorial Park.