Police, Bars Prepare for Large Crowds at Springfest 2012
By: Jacob Long, WMBD/WYZZ-TV
Updated: April 13, 2012
BLOOMINGTON - Thousands of people are expected to take over the city's downtown area Saturday.
About 15 bars are teaming up again to host an all day event they call "Springfest."
Butch Thompson owns three downtown hotspots. He spent much of Friday preparing to make sure the big day goes smoothly.
"Cooler-wise, ice machine-wise, things like that because if they go down on a Saturday, you're sunk," he said.
Thompson characterized Springfest as being like five regular Saturdays rolled into one, in terms of business and crowds.
"It's very important," he said.
The event runs for 14 hours with drink specials and live music at several different downtown locations.
In years past, Thompson said as many as 10,000 people have attended.
"That's when things were, the economy was better and it's not like that anymore. But it's still big," he said.
Bloomington Police said Friday they are planning accordingly for Saturday.
Six extra officers are being hired back on over-time for Springfest details. That's in addition to the department's regular patrols.
"What we're really trying to stop is any innocent people getting pulled into any sort of maylay or so forth," said Assistant Chief Bob Wall.
Wall said the biggest issues officers run into are fighting, public urination and overly intoxicated people.
He said the event has been getting better each year. "It helps they've added more of these types of events during the year. It used to be there was just one, so this helps stretch it out," he said.
Stormy weather might also have an influence on how things pan out.
Thompson said he is hoping storms in the forecast hold off. But Wall said police might have an easier time if the weather doesn't cooperate.
"Poor weather will definitely have an adverse affect on the patrons and the partying outside. But it can really help us as a city keep it under control and safe," he said.
Some of the participating bars open at noon Saturday. Others will open gradually during the day.
Closing time is 2 a.m. Sunday.
No streets are being closed, but people are reminded no open alcohol is allowed outside as they go in between locations.
About 15 bars are teaming up again to host an all day event they call "Springfest."
Butch Thompson owns three downtown hotspots. He spent much of Friday preparing to make sure the big day goes smoothly.
"Cooler-wise, ice machine-wise, things like that because if they go down on a Saturday, you're sunk," he said.
Thompson characterized Springfest as being like five regular Saturdays rolled into one, in terms of business and crowds.
"It's very important," he said.
The event runs for 14 hours with drink specials and live music at several different downtown locations.
In years past, Thompson said as many as 10,000 people have attended.
"That's when things were, the economy was better and it's not like that anymore. But it's still big," he said.
Bloomington Police said Friday they are planning accordingly for Saturday.
Six extra officers are being hired back on over-time for Springfest details. That's in addition to the department's regular patrols.
"What we're really trying to stop is any innocent people getting pulled into any sort of maylay or so forth," said Assistant Chief Bob Wall.
Wall said the biggest issues officers run into are fighting, public urination and overly intoxicated people.
He said the event has been getting better each year. "It helps they've added more of these types of events during the year. It used to be there was just one, so this helps stretch it out," he said.
Stormy weather might also have an influence on how things pan out.
Thompson said he is hoping storms in the forecast hold off. But Wall said police might have an easier time if the weather doesn't cooperate.
"Poor weather will definitely have an adverse affect on the patrons and the partying outside. But it can really help us as a city keep it under control and safe," he said.
Some of the participating bars open at noon Saturday. Others will open gradually during the day.
Closing time is 2 a.m. Sunday.
No streets are being closed, but people are reminded no open alcohol is allowed outside as they go in between locations.
