Growler Café’s third annual Lebanon Brewfest attracted about 1,900 visitors and raised approximately $30,000 for the Boys and Girls Club this year.
That’s six times greater than the amount raised their first year, and nearly triple what was raised last year.
The Brewfest started three years ago by Chris and Derrick Borgmann in celebration of the Growler Café’s one-year anniversary, and is combined as a fund-raiser for the Boys and Girls Club of the Greater Santiam.
Their inaugural event took place in front of the Growler Café in 2015. It hosted about 500 participants and raised nearly $5,000 for the Boys and Girls Club. Last year’s Brewfest raised $11,000 and attracted approximately 1,500 visitors.
This was the first year the Brewfest had business sponsors, which helped fund the event and allowed more of the proceeds to funnel into the Boys and Girls Club.
The Brewfest kicked off with the Beer Mi Chug and Run and ended with a new event, the Sunday Funday Brunch Train.
More than 30 breweries and cideries served patrons their local-made beverages, including Lebanon’s newest Barsideous Brewery. This year Hayworth Estate Wines of Eugene was also added to the event.
Six bands on two stages entertained throughout the day, and the kid zone expanded to include a magician, craft area, bounce house and soda station.
Santiam Excursion Trains partnered with Lebanon Brewfest this year to host the Brunch Train. Attendees spent a leisurely two-hour ride along the tracks while enjoying breakfast and good weather.
Sponsors included CoEnergy Propane, Loan Star Home Lending, Barker-Uerlings Insurance, Keller Williams Laura Gillott, Central Willamette Community Credit Union, Lebanon Chamber of Commerce, Peak Internet, Xtreme Grafx, Buck’s Sanitary Service, Cascade Sound and Stage Lighting, Cadwell Realty Group, Capital Mortgage, AmeriTitle, and Dutch Bros.