Sure, what’s being poured Saturday at the Columbus Craft Beer Fest matters greatly.
But so, too, does the fact that Mother Nature refrains from pouring — rain, that is.
So says Caroline Letzel, the coordinator of the 21-and-older event slated from 1 to 6 p.m. around the Round Lake of Mill Race Park downtown. About 1,000 tickets already have been sold, and organizers with Columbus’ ZwanzigZ Pizza and Brewing are expecting a crowd of 2,000 plus.
“Now that it’s close enough for people to see the extended forecast, that helps things to look a little more solid,” Letzel said.
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She referred to projections of a high of 75 degrees and sunny skies for the event. Though she is new to the popular gathering that will feature about 50 food-or-drink vendors, she’s been around long enough to know that the city has its share of later ticket buyers.
That forecast for the rain-or-shine date sounds much more comfortable than the sweltering, 90-degree-plus previous beer fest gathering in September 2017 at the park.
The latest fest will feature three bands instead of the previous two. The three groups are Black Tie Optional, Oddz R, and Tic Tac Flow, which performed last year.
Proceeds from the fest go to local charities. The last event raised more than $60,000 for two local nonprofits.
That fest featured 39 vendors — about 11 fewer than expected this weekend. The list includes a number of food vendors serving everything from burgers (including veggie burgers) and brats to barbecue. Also, in a new touch, Lucabe Coffee Co. will be there with drinks and perhaps a pastry or some other food choice.
“Coffee vendors do surprisingly well at these events,” said Letzel, who has been to five all over the state in the past few months. “It becomes a nice way to cleanse the palette between beers.”
Plus, she mentioned it becomes another option, beyond craft soda, for the designated drivers.
The nonprofit Brewers of Indiana Guild, a promoter of craft beer, has been helping local organizers this year with marketing.
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What: Columbus Craft Beer Fest, featuring 50 vendors, including craft beer and food
When: 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday
Where: Round Lake at Mill Race Park
Tickets: $35 to $50 in advance, and $10 for designated drivers (served craft sodas), available at columbusbeerfest.in or in person at ZwanzigZ. Each drinking ticket will allow for a commemorative sample glass and unlimited pours of all festival beers available.
Proceeds: All proceeds will be donated to local charities and organizations including The Columbus Park Foundation, Turning Point Domestic Violence Services and Just Friends Adult Daycare Services.
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