Some downtown businesses will relish in the boost of sales thanks to Muncie Gras customers, while others will provide more of a refuge from the festivities Saturday.
Cheryl Crowder, program manager of downtown development, said this year's Muncie Gras will "turn Walnut Street into Bourbon Street."
Downtown businesses support the festivities because the crowds mean more sales, she said.
"That keeps them happy," she said.
Some bars and restaurants will hold Muncie Gras activities in their facilities, while others choose to be more of an alternative place to get away from the crowds, she said.
Chris Piche, co-owner of The Fickle Peach, said the bar wouldn't participate in Muncie Gras directly but would offer a comfortable place for its customers.
A limited amount of admission tickets during Muncie Gras were sold mainly to regular customers, he said.
"We provide a refuge for people that want to take a break from the outside festivities," he said.
Though the bar does see an increase in sales during the event, customer comfort is a priority, Piche said.
"We're not looking to get rich here," he said. "We think it's important to protect the comfortable atmosphere that our regulars are used to."
Limiting the amount of people they will admit also prevents possible fire code violations because of an overflow of people coming in from the street's activities, he said.
Crowder said while some businesses would turn people away, others would have their doors wide open.
Doc's Music Hall is hosting a concert stage, featuring musical acts Rob Amick, Jack of Suede, Ridiculous, The New Walking Catfish, MMB and Know More Robots, she said. The bar will also host an outdoor concert, she said.
Doc's has the capacity to fit about 500 people, so crowds will be welcome, she said.
Mike Martin, owner of Doc's, said Muncie Gras increases sales at the bar and the crowds don't bother him at all.
"It's far and away the biggest event of the year as far as sales," he said. "We're all about throwing big concerts, and a lot of people never bothers us."
Other performance stages will be on the 200 and 300 blocks of Walnut Street, and heated tents will keep participants warm, she said.
Dave Franklin, catering director for Vera Mae's Bistro, said the restaurant didn't participate in any special activities for the event, he said.
"We have some special menu items and sale prices," he said. "But we don't do anything particularly special."
The bistro still supports Muncie Gras because it boosts alcohol sales and attracts new customers, he said.
"It's a nice thing for downtown to bring people out," he said. "People still walk in the door and say they never knew we were here."
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
