First Ruritan Beer Fest Brews Plans for Next Year
Written by Noel Oliver on September 18, 2014 at 2:00 pmThe gloomy rain clouds broke last Saturday afternoon just in time for the first annual Beer Fest to get underway at Riverside Park in Farmville. The Farmville Rotary Club sponsored the event, which combined merchandise and food vendors, live music, and, let’s not forget the beer, to create a great fundraiser and a mountain of good times for all that turned out.
Rotary members Brian Ross and Jeff Sargent combined their genius to coordinate the event. They contacted Title sponsor Virginia Eagle Distributing, who rose to the occasion and provided a wide and varied assortment of labels for tasters to try out. There were 15 different beers on tap, from Richmond’s own “Legends” to 2013’s Small Brewery of the Year winner, “Devil’s Backbone,” and all in between. A steady stream of tasters kept the taps flowing all evening, as the full staff of blue shirted Rotary volunteers filled four ounce sample cups of brew for visitors to try. The souvenir mugs that were given out with tickets were a classy touch, and they could be filled for drinking as well for those who wanted more than just a sample.
Vendors like “Scentsy” and “Perfectly Posh,” just to name a couple, had their tents set up, ready to sell their wares or just shoot the breeze in the “good time” atmosphere that filled the Park. There was excellent food to be had as well, prepared by Charley’s Waterfront Café, no less.
The music Saturday evening was better than good. Griff’s Room Band got things rolling, and Phloyd Eugene Turbo rocked out one great tune after another. Point Judith wrapped up the evening in fine style. The lineup kept heads nodding, and toes tapping all evening long.
Even the kids had a great time. This was, after all, a family event, through and through. Families set up on the lawn to enjoy the evening, and the bouncy house stayed full of happy kids, but the small hillside at the end of the park proved to be its rival. Children seemed to enjoy running up and down it as much, if not more than, anything else. It gave them plenty of fun.
A big “Hats off” should go to the Rotary Club of Farmville. The hard working organization has put together numerous successful, charitable fundraising events. They have supported efforts like The Heart of Virginia Free Clinic, Faces, and Operation Christmas Child over the years with the money they have raised. The First Annual Beer Fest of Farmville is another big success. It had just the right mix and appeal to draw a crowd, and create a super fun evening for those that attended.
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