A representative of the Mauch Chunk Charity Foundation told Jim Thorpe Borough Council last week that rising fees could threaten the future of the Anthracite Heritage Bluegrass Festival, which has been a community tradition for nearly two decades.

“It’s been going on for 19 years. This is the 19th year,” said board member Jay Llewellyn. “What I’m really upset about is it might not make the 20th.”

Llewellyn said the festival, scheduled for Sept. 20 at Mauch Chunk Lake Park, has always been a popular local event.

“It’s a $7 entry fee. There are local vendors, local musicians, local arts and crafts, and it’s a really wonderful day,” he said.

This year, however, many longtime food vendors have decided not to return.

“The Boy Scouts have been selling peach cobbler for 19 years, and they’re not coming this year because they can’t afford the fees,” Llewellyn said. “They’re afraid that if it rains, or if they get shut down, they’re going to be out money and not raise anything.”

A vendor permit, according to the borough fee schedule, is $30 per day or $400 per year. The fee schedule lists a health inspection at $60 per year.

The Mauch Chunk Charity Foundation has also been a regular presence at the event.

“We’ve been selling soup there for over 10 years,” Llewellyn said. “We’ve given money to fire victims, people suffering from cancer, and to the Environmental Center. We just raised $10,000 for the Carbon County Fire Training Center in Nesquehoning.”

Llewellyn told council that confusion about vendor fees has discouraged participation.

“All their vendors have shied away because of recent activities,” he said. “Every vendor has backed out because they’re afraid they’re not going to be able to sell and not make money.”

Council members and borough staff clarified the requirements.

“If you are a nonprofit, you are exempt,” Borough Manager Maureen Sterner said. “I don’t believe you need the vendor permit.”

Officials also explained the difference between a vendor permit and a health license. “The health license inspection is $60,” Sterner said. “That applies to any food vendor that has not already operated in the borough this year.”

Llewellyn said he had been told the cost was higher.

“I was told it was $120 to get inspected that morning,” he said.

Borough staff confirmed that the $60 fee could be paid on the day of inspection.

“They don’t need to pay a week in advance. They can pay that day,” Councilman Connor Rodgers said.

The borough’s health inspector was also described as willing to work with vendors.

“When he makes his inspection, I don’t think he’s going to say you absolutely can’t do this,” Rodgers said. “You can see his reports online. Many establishments have minor violations, and even with those, they’re not shut down.”

Sterner added, “If anyone has questions, he will go out and take a look before the inspection. He doesn’t charge anything for that.”

Llewellyn said he would share the clarification with festival organizers.

“That’s fine. I’ll take that information back,” he said.

Despite the explanation, he said uncertainty has already affected the event.

“Usually they call me around July and ask if we’re selling soup,” Llewellyn said. “This year they didn’t reach out, and when I contacted them, they said they assumed we wouldn’t want to.”

Council thanked him for raising the issue.

“I obviously hope the event can happen,” Council President Greg Strubinger said. “The foundation does a lot of good work.”