Attend/Sponsor Newtown BEERFEST & Support Newtown’s Volunteers

Recently, I spoke to Andy Rich, who is an honorary member of the Newtown Fire Association, about the upcoming Newtown BEERFEST. An edited version of the conversation is presented below. You can also listen to a 13-minute audio podcast of the interview here:

The Interview

John Mack: Hi, Andy. You want to just tell people a little bit about yourself?

Andy Rich: Sure. I've been in town now for four years. I am a business owner, Sandler Sales Training, where we go in and train salespeople on their business and how to improve their sales. My wife really enjoyed the Newtown in the four years that we have been residents. But we enjoyed our first Newtown BEERFEST about five years ago.

JM: Andy, you are an honorary member of the Newton Fire Association, which runs the BEERFEST, correct?

AR: Yes, that's right. I first started as a volunteer and worked through that. But when I started my business, it took a more time than expected and I no longer could meet the requirements of a volunteer. Volunteers devote a lot of time not only on training, but being on call at different hours.

The next best thing for me to give to the community is to be involved with the BEERFEST. I don't know if you know much about the BEERFEST, John.

JM: I've been to a couple of them. I enjoy craft brews. My son used to be a craft beer salesman and his company had a stall at the last BEERFEST in 2019. So, I know it involves various microbreweries plus music.

AR: Correct! It's pretty cool. There will be 45 beer vendors there. Most of them are local, and most of them are craft and the ones that aren't are top brands. Anybody that appreciates beer or a good well-organized and safe party is welcome.

It's been just a great run for the fire service because at the Newtown Fire Association, we have one big event for fundraising and this is it.

JM: And, I could tell you, you can meet some interesting people there.

AR: Absolutely. A lot of beer lovers may know of the Clubhouse, which is located right down the road a bit from the Stocking Works on State Street, which is the location of the BEERFEST. The Clubhouse is one of our sponsors, as are many other businesses in town. All have been generous and embraced this event over the years.

JM: I know that some local politicians and others have donated money to. And today I'm going to give you 100 bucks!

AR: I'm not leaving until I have that check in hand! Ha, ha! But seriously, other local politicians who have supported the BEERFEST as sponsors include State Senator Steve Santarserio and Representative Perry Warren. Also Judge Michael Petrucci, who plans to help us set up on the morning of the event.

JM: But it’s getting close to the September 18th date of the BEERFEST and getting corporate money at this late stage is a little difficult, but you always like to accept corporate donations regardless, right?

AR: Of course. I think hopefully some of the corporations will understand how big this is and what it means to the town and the fire service. So hopefully they'll hear that and be ready to write a check. It might be a little bit late to get all the promotional benefits. We hope to have all our promotions done, the T-shirts down, the brochures done, pretty soon.

[Anyone interested in sponsoring this event or donating money can contact Andy directly by calling 917-886-9405 or via email: info@newtownbeerfest.com]

JM: So you put the sponsor's names, big sponsors on the back of the t-shirts?

AR: Yeah, and not just the big sponsors. You're going to have to teach me how to spell John Mack, because that's going on the back, too. And then we have placements of logo as sponsors on our website, which is pretty cool.

[See the list of 2021 sponsors]

How It Helps the Fire Department

JM: But why do you need to raise money? I mean, doesn't the township and borough donate money every year?

AR: Yes, that’s true, but in the opinion of a national consulting agency that looks at fire service and how many homes it covers and ground it covers and how many people are necessary to run it, it turns out that we are underfunded and undermanned.

[Read “Newtown Volunteer Fire Service 'Dwindling Quickly', Chief Says”]

JM: So I know you just purchased a new fire rescue engine [see photo below] for over $700,000 and you have to pay that off, right?

AR: I'm glad you asked. The BEERFEST event is so amazing that over 10 years we raised in the neighborhood of 80 percent of the cost of that vehicle, which is used by the volunteers AND the Newtown Township Emergency Services Depart [the eight paid firefighters hired by Newtown Township].

JM: How many people will be at the BEERFEST this year? What's your goal?

AR: We usually get about 3,200 attendees. It's a big space. It's all outdoors at the Stocking Works, which obviously manufactured socks back in the day. And it's a great setting. And we put a fence around it and make sure there's plenty of security.

JM: Yes, and perhaps Judge Petrucci will set up court there. Just kidding! But you ask people to be designated drivers, correct?

AR: Yes, for ten bucks you can be a designated driver and you can enjoy the event. So we're pretty careful about what goes out the door and stuff. We've almost always had great weather, but COVID, of course, knocked us out last year.

The Details

JM: Tell us some of the details, like what it costs to attend, what you get for you money, where to buy tickets and how to become a sponsor.

AR: The “First Tap” session runs from 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm. You get twenty dollars worth of food and a T-shirt shirt. The first tap ticket allows you to enjoy the festival in its entirety until 5:30 pm.

General Admission starts at two o'clock and costs 45 bucks. And you know, it's a great value. It's great fun. You will receive a souvenir glass for sampling the beer from local and regional brewers. There will also be great live music. Food is extra. There's plenty of good local food.

JM: So where do people go to find out more information to get tickets etc..

AR: Go to www.newtownBEERFEST.com. You get a link there to buy tickets online and also to download a sponsor form. There's also a couple places in Newtown where you can get tickets: Isaac Newton’s, Temperance House and John’s Barbershop to name just a few.

Let just mention a few people or companies that have donated money as sponsors. We always get support from First National Bank, which supplies the plastic tasting mugs. And Jake's Eatery has always been a great supporter. Clubhouse Bar and Grill is not only a big sponsor, but also provides food.

You can find a whole list on the website.

JM: That's great. So anything else you want to say in closing, Andy?

AR: Yeah, I think it's important that we all get involved in understanding how the fire department is funded because public funds are very necessary. And we ought to think about how safe we are but consider that we're well under the funding that is standard for most towns our size. I mean, we have enough money in this town to properly protect our families, our friends, and our pets, not only from fires but also rescues from car crashes, which occur fairly regularly on the Bypass.

And you got to think about the need for volunteers. We need volunteers badly and we realize most of these people also have a full time jobs. These guys are the heroes. We need them. So we need you guys to consider volunteering.

JM: Well, I want to thank you for coming by and talking to me. I'll have to get up and write you that check.

AR: You better and I hope it’s bigger than the one I ask for, too.

JM: I've got to get permission from my wife. [I did get permission in absentsia and gave $150!] But also, we'll sign up to attend. It's September 18th, right?

AR: Yeah. Hey, that's another thing I forgot. We can use some help. This is a big event. So, you know, a lot of the firemen will be out there setting it up and tearing it down.

JM: So that happens earlier in the morning? Right?

AR: Yes, we got to do it on the weekend. So it's probably going to be more in the morning than anything else.

JM: All right, Andy, so it's great to have you here and hope to see you around town.

AR: Appreciate it, John. Anyone interested in sponsoring this event or donating money can contact me directly by calling 917-886-9405 or via email: info@newtownbeerfest.com