A bounty of local food and beverage options will be on stage this weekend as the fourth annual Craft Beer & Winefest kicks off. The event starts today (Friday, June 10) at Vancouver’s Esther Short Park and runs through the weekend.
Event organizers Rusty Hoyle and Sherie Szubski started the event back in 2013 with a focus on wine, but the rise of artisan brew houses prompted the organizers to add other craft beverages to the lineup, like spirits, mead and cider.
In addition to being able to taste over 125 wines and 30 beers, attendees will enjoy a Washington craft Bourbon tasting room – showcasing six offerings including Battle Ground’s own Double V Distillery – and the return of last year’s debut event – Beers, Bloodys and Blues.
Set to run all day Sunday, Beers, Bloodys and Blues features a full day of blues musicians and one stellar signature drink – the Bloody Mary, crafted with nothing but local ingredients. Thrown into the mix at 2:30 p.m. is guest speaker Judy Bennett, sharing “7 Ways Your Bloody Mary Can Make You A Hottie.”
A total of 15 bands spread out over three days are slated to perform including Americana band, The Pearls, on Friday night and TLS Journey – the world’s only Filipino, female-fronted Journey tribute band – Saturday night.
“It’s a warm, welcoming event where you can meet the makers, drink wine, eat good food and watch live music,” Hoyle said.
Another notable change in 2016 is table seating located near several winery booths as well as the Bourbon tasting room and a Heathen Brewing fire truck – a 1956 GMC capable of dispensing seven different types of cold beer. Szubski added that people are still encouraged to “bring a lawn chair and stay a while.”
Giving back
This year, in an effort to raise 10,000 pounds of food for Share House, bins will be set up at the entrance to the event. Every bag of unexpired, nonperishable food can be traded for three tasting tickets. A portion of ticket proceeds will also go to the Evergreen School District. As in the past, iQ Credit Union will sponsor dog bowls throughout the park, making it a very dog-friendly event.
At $25 per person, general admission includes a commemorative glass and 10 tasting tickets. VIP tickets and tables are also available.
“I love this festival. I love being there. People are smiling, having a good time and who doesn’t want to be a part of that?” Szubski said.
For more information, visit www.thecraftwinefest.com.
