Whip City Brewfest glasses are lined up at the start of the 2019 event. (Hope E. Tremblay Photo)
WESTFIELD — The third Whip City Brewfest is Aug. 28 to benefit the Amelia Park Children’s Museum.
The Brewfest takes place in the Central Street parking lot, with a VIP hour at noon and general admission starting at 1 p.m. The event ends at 5 p.m.
Rick Barry, a member of the museum board, said last year the Brewfest was canceled because of COVID-19 restrictions, as was the 2021 Penguin Plunge. In a typical year, these are the museum’s two major fundraisers.
Barry said “2020 was a tough year for the museum. With attendance down because of the pandemic and having to be closed for a while, the income wasn’t being generated. Not being able to hold the plunge was a second blow to us.”
Donations are crucial to keep the museum running.
“The museum counts on donations and fundraisers to continue operating,” said Barry. “Most people don’t realize that the admission we charge won’t cover what we do at the museum — from programs to events and special days we do for the kids.”
The Aug. 28 Brewfest will help “bring in funds to allow us to have a lot more flexibility in our offerings for the kids at the museum,” Barry noted.
There are 150 VIP tickets available at $55 each, with general admission tickets at $40, and $20 for a designated driver ticket. Tickets are available on eventbrite.com and will be sold at the gate if not sold out in advance. VIP ticket holders gain entrance with a limited crowd and are guaranteed a glass and a goodie bag. The first 400 general admission ticket holders will also receive a glass.
Local breweries will showcase their beers, and everything from IPAs to porters and sours will be available to taste.
“We are looking at having about 30 brewers, which is a couple less than we have had, but still a good amount,” Barry said.
Headlining sponsor is Tin Bridge, glass sponsor is Great Awakening and Skyline Beer Co. is one of the stage sponsors.
“Kismet will be joining us for the first time,” Barry said. “We also will have White Lion, Holyoke Craft Beer, Two Weeks Notice, Iron Duke, Outlook Farms and Artifact Cider, to name a few. More can be found on our website whipcitybrewfest.com.”
In addition to great local brews, Whip City Brewfest will also feature live entertainment and food.
The Rock Duo, Shokazoba and Charlie Glavin Band will perform live throughout the afternoon while North Elm Butcher Block, Macken Sliders and Skyline will have some of their famous food for sale. There will also be other vendors on site.
Barry said organizers — and brewers — are looking forward to the return of the Whip City Brewfest.
“We are excited to have it and so are our breweries,” Barry said, “they want to have this to be able to showcase their products and meet with the beer community.”
Barry said volunteers are sought for the event.
“If anyone would like to volunteer the day of the event, or donate to the Amelia Park Children’s Museum, should email me at [email protected],” said Barry.
