There will be 400 more rowdy party-goers at Bermuda Shorts Day Thu., Apr. 13.
Capacity in the beer gardens at the annual year-end party has been increased 10 per cent over last year, bringing the total capacity to 4,400 people, according to Students’ Union vice-president events and good times Alex Vyskocil. One thousand guest wristbands will be available.
“It’s my last BSD,” said Vyskocil, who graduates this year after a two-year term as VP events. “I think the acts are going to be rad. Hopefully your last BSD will be as good as mine.”
The line up includes the rock-a-billy band HorrorPops, Edmonton dance band Shout Out Out Out Out, ska-punksters Five Star Affair and BSD veterans Small Town DJs. Vyskocil said there will also be a dance stage in the beer gardens and a student stage near the prairie chicken for campus bands.
The price for beer will remain at $3.75, though the event will see a slightly increased security presence to account for the increased capacity. Vyskocil said the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission approved increasing capacity because the good times were tame times last year.
Campus Security manager Lanny Fritz said two or three extra security officers will be on hand, as well as seven Calgary Police constables on paid duty and SU events staff.
He said last year was successful due to good management rather than good luck, noting the SU has addressed problems from the past by increasing the number of washroom facilities, expanding the total area of the beer gardens and eliminating long line-ups. Fritz did caution against some common pitfalls, adding some students inevitably drink too much every year.
“Alcohol consumption is still only legal in the beer gardens,” said Fritz, noting police will also have an active checkstop set up after the event to deter drunk driving.
Vyskocil said a decision will be made Friday or Monday to determine if the weather is expected to cooperate. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, the event will be moved into MacEwan Hall with capacity reduced to 3,000.
Two years ago BSD faced a similar situation, leaving a number of students upset that guests were allowed into the event while they were turned away. Vyskocil said any decision to reduce the number of guest bands handed out depends on an early weather prediction, but that nobody with a wristband–guest or student–would be turned away until the venue reaches capacity.
Vyskocil is optimistic the event will be a success.
“It’s going to be awesome,” he said.