They also can experience a bit of alcohol, should they desire it.

For the first time in the history of the 28-year-old event, alcohol will be offered to visitors, representatives of Long's Park Amphitheatre Foundation, which hosts the event, said Monday.

"We just received notice that we've been issued a special-occasion permit (from the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board) to sell wine and ... beer within the festival area at the show,'' Sue Savage said in a press release.

Reached Monday night, Savage said the foundation also received approval from Long's Park Commission. "We'll be featuring red and white wines and Stoudt's beer throughout the show,'' she said in the release.

Elizabeth Brown, foundation president, said it "was a conscious decision that we wanted to upgrade what we offer in food and beverage. There will be beer and wine sales, and it will be overseen by the staff of Carr's Restaurant. We will follow all of the regulations set forth by the PLCB to make sure people aren't overindulging.

"It's going to be very carefully controlled because we want this to be a good experience in terms of adding to the show. We don't want it to control the show or detract from it in any way."

Among the highlights of this year's festival will be a Susquehanna Style Bistro, renamed from Cuisine Court, which will feature special attractions each day.

"We are making the guest experience fuller than just a lunchtime visit," Savage said.

The four-day event will feature a different specialty each day.

·On Friday, Sept. 1, the foundation will work with House of Clarendon to offer "High Tea" from 3 to 5 p.m. in the bistro.

·Saturday, Sept. 2, will feature wine and cheese tasting from 3 to 5 p.m.

·Sunday, Sept. 3, will be Ice Cream Sundae, with frozen treats from Coleman's Ice Cream. This also will run from 3 to 5 p.m.

·Labor Day, Sept. 4, Coleman's Ice Cream and Achenbach's bakery will team up to present "Apple Pie a la Long's Park," a combination of ice cream and Achenbach's milk apple pie. This will run from 2 to 4 p.m.

The bistro will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 1 through Sept. 3, and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Labor Day. Some of Lancaster County's leading restaurants and caterers have been invited to offer their fare.

It's hoped that changing the format of the festival's food concessions will further entice people to attend.

"We wanted to give people one more reason to come to Long's Park and enjoy the goings-on," Savage said.

The festival is expected to draw 200 juried fine arts and craftspeople from around the world. Each year, the fair attracts about 20,000 people to the park.

The festival will be held rain or shine from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 1 through Sept. 3 and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Labor Day. blog comments powered by Disqus