Sale of alcohol at borough event questioned

A decision to allow the sale of alcohol at an upcoming event has ruffled the feathers of the president of the Walnutport Canal Association.

The matter came up for discussion at Thursday’s borough council meeting when Councilwoman Patrice Hunsicker asked if there would be police coverage for the second annual Northern Lehigh Recreation Authority’s Everything Outdoors Food Truck Festival to be held later this month.

At that, Jeanne Boehrer, president of the Walnutport Canal Association, questioned how they were able to have alcohol permitted for their event when the Walnutport Canal Association has lost rentals at its pavilion, because they were told that alcohol was not permitted.

“We lost four to five rentals this year,” Boehrer said. “We’re losing money, because we’re not allowed to have it (alcohol at the pavilion).”

Hunsicker said that’s because Mayor Wayne Weidner, in his capacity, made an exception for alcohol to be sold at the food truck festival.

“The point of adding alcohol was to add to the revenue,” Hunsicker said. “We just use the alcohol more as revenue for the authority.”

Boehrer said she was “just disappointed.”

“What’s good for the goose is good for the gander,” she said. “What’s fair is fair.”

The food truck festival will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. July 27 in the Walnutport Borough Park on Lincoln Avenue.

It will feature a variety of food trucks, including Grumpy’s BBQ, Geakers Tacos, Kona Ice, the Krazy Chicken Lady, Cool Treats, Bananarama, Bull & Bear, Diggity Dogs, Josie’s Funnel Cakes and Doggie Style.

In addition, there will be many vendors whose focus is the outdoors, such as the D and L Heritage Trail, Wildlands Conservancy, Northampton County Open Space, L.L. Bean, Lehigh Valley Orienteering, the Appalachian Mountain Club, Backwoods Outdoor Center, Fast Lane Recreation and more.

Also, Steel Creek will perform, and there will also be activities for children.

Craft brewer Taylor House Brewing Co. will also be on hand.