Growler Café’s third annual Lebanon Brewfest will return to downtown Saturday, Sept. 23, in celebration of the industry and Growler’s support for its community.
The Lebanon Brewfest started three years ago by Chris and Derrick Borgmann in celebration of the Growler Café’s one-year anniversary, and now has become a fund-raiser for the Boys and Girls Club of the Greater Santiam.
Main Street between Sherman and Maple streets will be shut down for the event, which will last from 1 to 9 p.m., but downtown merchants will still be accessible to the general public.
The Brewfest will kick off with the Beer Mi Chug & Run at noon. Registered runners will drink a beer and run a mile before returning to the Growler Café. Runners will have early entry access to the Brewfest.
More than 30 breweries and cideries will be serving up their beverages, including Lebanon’s newest Barsideous Brewery. This year a winery has been added to the event. Food trucks and local downtown merchants will also provide fare for festival-goers.
As many as six bands on two stages – one in the newly renovated Strawberry Plaza – will perform throughout the day, and the kid zone this year will be bigger and will include a magician, craft area, bounce house, face painting and soda station.
Santiam Excursion Trains has partnered with the event this year and will be hosting a Sunday Funday Brunch Train to take place the day after the Brewfest. Attendees who purchase the combo package ticket with their Brewfest entry will enjoy a meal and beer samples while watching the scenery aboard the train.
Lebanon Brewfest’s inaugural event took place in front of the Growler Café in 2015. It drew some 500 participants and raised nearly $5,000 for the Boys & Girls Club.
Last year’s Brewfest raised $11,000 and attracted approximately 1,500 visitors.
General admission tickets are $20 and include three drink sample tickets and a Brewfest mug; a $50 charge includes the Sunday train excursion. VIP tickets are $45 and include six drink sample tickets, a Brewfest mug and T-shirt, reserved seating and exclusive pours; a $70 charge includes the Sunday train excursion.
Drink samples are half-glass pours, and extra drink tickets can be purchased for $1. Non-drinkers can purchase entry tickets for $10, and children 12 and under are free.
For more information on how to purchase tickets or volunteer, visit www.LebanonBrewfest.com.