Jon Henderson walked along the runways of Bader Field just after noon on Monday talking about the new location of the upcoming Atlantic City Beer and Music Festival when he began receiving text message after text message.
The messages were about Gov. Phil Murphy dropping many COVID restrictions including removing all outdoor gathering limits. This was good news for Henderson, of Good Time Tricycle Productions and the festival’s producer, who will hold the hugely popular event outside at the abandoned airport for the first time in its 16 year history.
“I would be lying if I didn’t anticipate it,” said Henderson about the capacity removal which begins May 19. “I started to see the way the executive orders have rolled over the last couple weeks, I saw this kind of happening.”
With the festival less than four weeks out, the announcement was as good as downing a cold beer on a beautiful summer day — which you can do June 4 and 5 during this year’s festival.
For those beer lovers who missed out on last year’s COVID canceled event that was to be held inside the Atlantic City Convention Center in April, it’s time to raise a glass because the beer will be flowing and music will be loud.
Meredith and Orlando Cachuela, of Swedesboro, enjoys a beer at The Atlantic City Beer and Music Festival, Friday, March 29, 2019. (Tim Hawk | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)Tim Hawk | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
While the weather is always unpredictable Henderson said that events like this work well outdoors and he is excited to start the season off with a new twist on an already successful festival.
“We’re kicking off summer in June when things are just starting to come back to life.”
This year’s festival will again have three four-hour sessions beginning Friday night June 4 at 8 p.m. and two sessions on Saturday, beginning at noon and then 6 p.m.
The Atlantic City skyline will provide a backdrop for approximately 120 breweries, local grub and different activities.
And then there is the music which Henderson explained fell into place just in the last few weeks.
Knuckle Puck headlines the first session followed by Less Than Jake Saturday afternoon. Face To Face will close out the most unique beer festival Good Time Tricycle has put on.
For now, 5,000 people will be allowed to attend each session, approximately 3,000 less than in past festivals. Henderson doesn’t know if he will increase that amount.
“I haven’t really gone down that path yet,” he said adding that they are nearly 80 percent sold out. Tickets from last year are being honored and tickets this year are available through Ticketmaster for $65 per session. Parking next to the field will be $10 cash only.
The advantage of the festival being outside is that attendees will have plenty of space to roam around and social distance while adhering to the outdoor guidelines still in place.
“The festival footprint is going to be 1.3 million square feet,” said Henderson adding that if you do the math it means everyone gets 120 square feet to themselves if they really wanted to spread out.
When social distancing isn’t possible people will be required to wear a face mask.
Henderson wants people to just be courteous when it comes to mask wearing so they don’t make it an uncomfortable situation for the staff for the others who want to enjoy themselves and have fun.
Jon Henderson, of Good Time Tricycle Productions and the Atlantic City Beer and Music Festival producer, stands in Bader Field where this year's festival will take place, Monday, May 4, 2021. Tim Hawk | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
“Let’s just follow the rules and have a great time together.”
Another tweak to the festival will be the absence of those reusable plastic glasses that were handed needed to sampling all those tasty beer selections. Due to potential cross-contamination, only disposable cups will be distributed.
More than a million of those disposable 3 ounce cups will be ready to be put to good use on the 600 craft beers available.
New Jersey will be well represented as the Garden State will have approximately 70 breweries that will be ready to increase any beer lover’s experience.
Attendees can “hop” around the state along the one-mile beer loop and taste the creativity of breweries including Slack Tide Brewing Company in Cape May Court House, Fort Nonsense Brewing Company in Denville, and River Horse Brewing Company in Ewing.
Harry's Oyster Bar and Seafood Executive Chef Sean McKeever, organizes oysters at The Atlantic City Beer and Music Festival, Friday, March 29, 2019. (Tim Hawk | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)Tim Hawk | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
“I think from a beer geeks perspective there are going to be probably more unique beers here this year than there has been in a while,” Henderson said. Breweries have been working on new beers that people may not have tried yet.
Food and activities round out the festival. There will be 11 restaurants, including Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall, Vagabond Kitchen and Tap House and Harry’s Oyster Bar and Seafood.
And to burn off that food and beer there will be plenty of activities to challenge anyone’s liquid muscles. Coming back are the staple games such as The Beer Cup Derby, giant cornhole, and the keg toss. There will also be an area for eight on eight “Laser Tag” battles.
“Now that the restrictions on dancing are lifted, no more Footloose in New Jersey right, you can dance again,” said Henderson, which means silent disco will be back.
Shannen Puglisi, of Toms River, plays giant Cornhole during The Atlantic City Beer and Music Festival, Friday, March 29, 2019. (Tim Hawk | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)Tim Hawk | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
For those looking to be the first into the Saturday morning session, the Hops Trot 5k will provide that opportunity. The new course will start on the boardwalk and turn onto Albany Avenue then into the festival.
Now that the outdoor restrictions are lifted Henderson expects interest to increase.
“I expect that by the middle of this month, both the festival itself and the hops trot will be completely sold out.”
Henderson said he is excited for the festival at Bader Field comparing it to a blank canvas. He is not the only one looking forward to the new location. He said the city and the mayor, Marty Small Sr., were instrumental in securing the abandoned airport.
“As a matter of fact, I’m going to steal you from the convention center,” the mayor recalled telling Henderson. “I think it’s going to go so well that you won’t have a choice but to make it at Bader Field every year.”
Being a former entertainment promoter himself the mayor said he feels bad for the lost year of events but is looking forward to Atlantic City opening up more starting with the beer festival.
“We get to showcase all that we have to offer and I couldn’t be more excited,” he said.
The festival will be rain or shine so with the uncertainty of the weather be prepared, said Henderson.
“If you get wet, you match the beer, don’t complain, just enjoy.”
Jon Henderson, of Good Time Tricycle Productions and the Atlantic City Beer and Music Festival producer, explains the set up for this year's festival at Bader Field, Monday, May 4, 2021. The music stage will be in the grassy area behind him. Tim Hawk | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
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Tim Hawk may be reached at thawk@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Tim on Instagram @photog_hawk.
May 10, 2021 at 06:00AM
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