Plainfield officials want better beer fest operation

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Updated: February 27, 2012 8:41AM

PLAINFIELD — Village officials are hoping for better results from a summer event that was a hit with attendees, but not with them.

More than 2,500 people attended the Plainfield Midwest Brewers Fest on village property in August, but organizers weren’t financially prepared.

Rex Slagel, newly elected president of the Midwest Brewers Fest, admitted at a prior Plainfield Village Board meeting, “There were organizational failures leading up to the fest.”

The volunteer group expected to donate $40,000 to the Plainfield Riverfront Foundation after using riverfront land for the festival.

In September, $15,000 was donated, but organizers had to ask for the money back to pay unforeseen expenses.

As of Oct. 31, festival organizers reported revenues at $99,881, with operating expenses of $99,714, resulting in a net income of just $167.

The village did not incur any expense. Organizers paid Plainfield police $1,935 for special detail pay and $698 to community service officers for security work.

To avoid a similar situation, the village board told Slagel and other fest representatives that adequate financial reports must be provided to the board before the event is approved.

On Monday, Mayor Michael Collins said the festival’s organizers hadn’t provided the village with insurance paperwork until the night before last year’s event.

Slagel and other committee members said they are amenable to the village’s requests.

Slagel outlined plans for this year’s event, set for Aug. 27 on the riverfront property south of Lockport Street between the DuPage River and the railroad tracks.

Slagel, who did not chair the first Brewers Fest, also said the group will not promise donations that cannot be made.

Trustee Margie Bonuchi said there needs to be more because the riverfront land is being used.

“If we are going to have this event and be successful for everyone, there has to be something for the riverfront (foundation),” she said. “I am not in favor of having an event where vendors come in and they make money (for themselves).”

Slagel pledged to address all the concerns at a future village board meeting.