Plans are taking shape for a fall festival in downtown Springfield. But first, organizers may have to learn how to best serve the expected patrons.

City council members have approved a special events permit and a special events alcohol permit for an Oct. 12-13 festival, put together by the Springfield Merchants Association.

"We’re looking at doing something in downtown Springfield," said Jamey Stancell, president of the Springfield Merchants Association. "Nothing’s ever been done on Laurel Street. We’re trying to bring people to Springfield."

Among the activities scheduled are an Oct. 12 concert at 7 p.m. and bands performing the following day at 11 a.m., 2 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Stancell said the Merchants Association has been interviewing prospective bands for the last few weeks.

The Merchants Association has 33 members, and Stancell estimated their budget for the event at $25,000.

"So they’re anxious," he said.

Stancell is expecting attendance to range from 3,000 to 5,000, and the festival will conclude around 10 p.m. on Oct. 13. The event will be held "from red light to red light," Stancell said, on Laurel Street, or from Second Street to Madison Street. The plan calls for spaces for 100 vendors and for police and fire protection.

"I think it’s a great idea," said Council Member Steve Shealy, "and when I first read it, I was excited about what you might be able to do."

As part of the event, the organizers will have a beer tent, and the Springfield Police will be stationed adjacent to the beer tent.

"The public safety folks will be right behind the beer tent," said City Manager Brett Bennett, "so they can put their eyes on people."

But Shealy, who’s in the hospitality business, worried that those serving beer to festival attendees may not know when to stop serving someone who’s had too much.

"I’ve got two bar licenses," he said. "Whoever is pouring has some sort of understanding of what to look for of someone who has had too much."

Shealy also worried that if someone had too much to drink and eventually caused an accident it could become the Merchants Association’s responsibility.

"I’m a little afraid of someone being overserved," he said. "It sounds like a good, fun time. But someone can go overboard with alcohol. Can whoever is doing the pouring be trained to know when to cut someone off?

"If we don’t have handle that ourselves, there could be some ramifications."

Shealy suggested that the volunteers who will staff the beer area take training from either Chatham County or an organization that provides such education similar to those who receive their bar cards in Chatham.

"There is a lot at stake," said Council member Kenny Usher. "But so far, so good — the two we’ve had this year have gone well. It has to be done right."

Stancell said Eagle Distributing has agreed to be a sponsor and will have a booth with a breathalyzer and a tow-to-go function to encourage no drinking and driving.

"Sixty percent of their advertising and promotion goes toward that kind of effort," he said.

Stancell also said that though patrons could buy as many tickets as possible, they can get only two servings at a one time.

Bennett said the city and the Merchants Association explored the idea of a downtown festival last year, but the city’s streetscape project made it infeasible.