Beer, wine available at Esther Short Thursday concerts

Two community groups will provide a beer-wine garden as part of the popular Thursday night summer concerts in Esther Short Park.

The Riverview Community Bank Six to Sunset Concert Series begins July 9 with 5 Guys Named Moe and continues for five consecutive Thursday nights.

The Hough Foundation and the Parks Foundation will operate what they are calling Park Pub, a fenced area in the park's southwest corner where adults 21 and older can enjoy food, beer and wine.

A $5 entry fee provides unlimited access to Park Pub from 5 to 9 p.m. for one event and includes the first beverage of choice.

A VIP area will be available for those who want to purchase a package of table service, dinner and two beverages for $25 per person.

Cara Cantonwine, Vancouver's program and event coordinator, said the Hough Foundation previously participated in Hot July Nights, which have featured the Beach Boys, Peter Frampton, the Doobie Brothers and other acts.

That event will not be taking place this year, so the Hough Foundation approached the city several months ago to discuss ways to replace the lost revenue, she said.

"Obviously the summer concerts are a different crowd, a different venue," she said. "We want to make sure the families that come to these concerts feel that it's a family event because that is our first priority."

After several meetings, the city agreed to rent space in the park's southwest corner for about $7,000 for the six concerts, Cantonwine said.

"It is a the least populated ground when we have concerts," she said. "If terms of having the least impact on the public when they attend concerts, that was the best area."

The park's gazebo will provide a serving area for selling beer and wine, she said. People inside the Park Pub will be able to see the pavilion's stage over a double row of 4-foot high fences. Six-foot high fences will line the area's west and south sides.

Concert-goers will be able to bring food into the area, as well as purchase items from a vendor that will set up to serve both those inside the fenced area and others in the park.

"We don't want to detract from the business of our food vendors that are established there," Cantonwine said.

People can only consume beer and wine sold inside Park Pub, and they cannot take alcohol outside the area, she said. Alcohol consumption will continue to be prohibited in other parts of the park, she said.

The Park Pub area has standing room to accommodate as many as 1,500 adults, Cantonwine said.

An estimated 4,500 people attended last year's 5 Guys Named Moe performance, she said.

Park Pub proceeds will pay for social services provided by the Hough Family Services Center, as well as support parks, recreation and trails throughout Clark County.

"This is a great opportunity for local businesses and social groups to plan affordable summer gatherings at the park while supporting community organizations," Angie Laughlin, executive director of the Hough Foundation, said in a statement.

"With shrinking city and county parks and recreation budgets, it's absolutely critical that the community becomes creative in looking for ways to support parks and recreation opportunities across the county," Cheri Martin, executive director of the Parks Foundation, said in the statement.

The Hough Foundation, established in 1992, promotes physical, scholastic and mental health enhancement to students at Hough Elementary School, as well as families and the surrounding community.

The Parks Foundation raises funds through public and private partnerships for parks, trails and recreational programs across Clark County.