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Beer Fest Good Spirits Met Good Spirit at Farmville Fairgrounds

   Written by on September 17, 2015 at 1:09 pm
For more photos of this event, so to southsidemessengerphotos.shutterfly.com

For more photos of this event, so to southsidemessengerphotos.shutterfly.com

The venue may have changed from the familiar Riverside Park, but good feelings did abound as Beer Fest 2015 set up last Saturday at the Farmville Five County Fairgrounds. The big blue Bud Light truck was a familiar sight, set up at one end of the midway, lined with taps that would pour an assortment of brews for the tasting. Of course, the assortment of brew for tasting was, as always, very good.
While the venue change may have impacted the overall front gate numbers slightly, it is speculated that the change in location didn’t limit the turnout nearly as much as the ominous weather forecast that was posted for the area on Saturday. It may have intimidated some folks into not coming out. Nevertheless, the turnout was only slightly lower than last year. On the upside, the vendors, who always add so much to the annual festival, putting plenty of hard work into setting up and presenting their unique merchandise to visitors, this year did better than last. According to Rotary Club Secretary Brian Ross, “The Club itself managed to earn about 85% of what it did last year. Very respectable, all things considered.”
One of the most unique things to happen at this year’s Beer Fest was an impromptu visit by Scott Wilson. Scott is the son of Brian Wilson, who along with his brother Dennis, Carl Wilson, cousin Mike Love and good friend Al Jardine, were the Beach Boys, a rock and roll band that began in the early 60’s and gave us such timeless classics as “Good Vibrations,” “Wouldn’t it be Nice,” and “Kokomo.” Scott spent his time Saturday talking to interested patrons, answering questions about his dad, the band, and signing autographs. Hats off, once again, to the Farmville area Rotary Club for their efforts in this year’s Beer Fest.

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