Beer Tent Brand New Addition

George and Ruth Todd were listening to the music.

The Forks Township man sipped from a Coors Lite cup while his wife drank wine.

They looked over the orange fence at the stage and took in the festivities at the Forks Township Community Days Saturday afternoon.

 "It's nice," George said. "I like the tent," Ruth said.

Others throughout the two-day festival would share those sentiments since Forks Community Days was offering a beer tent for the first time.

"It just adds to a festival," said Alison Miers, vice president of Easton Initiatives for the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce.

"You see the tents at Musikfest, Palmer Days and other events. So why not here?"

The tent was sponsored by the Business and Commerce Association of Forks Township and .

The drinking area was enclosed with tables and chairs, although food, other drinks and children were permitted in the enclosed seating area. Forks Beverage provided the beer while Franklin Hill Vineyards served the wine.

Miers said the tent was stationed near where the police department was selling clams to provide additional safety and it was placed near the stage so people could enjoy the music.

One thing that was different from other beer tents was that beer and wine had to be consumed within the tent area.

"We wanted a designated area where people can enjoy a beer at the safety of other festival-goers," Miers said.

Brian Lokitis, chairman of the Forks Township Community Days Committee, said that the beer tent helps showcase the township's businesses.

"Everyone who comes to a festival looks for a beer tent," he said. "They buy a beer, enjoy the music, eat more and spend more. They have a good time and we're able to control it."

Miers said the beer tent helps people keep spending money on local businesses, money that will go back into the community.

Ruth Todd said she doesn't mind sitting for a little while. "It's no problem not being able to walk around," she said. "We can just sit here and listen to the music."