Time to raise your glass and celebrate the coming of spring… or March Madness… or good friends… or just good beer! The Vancouver Brewfest Spring Edition returns to Esther Short Park this year March 17-18, 2017 just in time for some March Madness and St. Patrick’s Day fun. Worried about the weather no cooperating? Well, don’t; all the fun will be inside a huge 10,600 square foot heated tent.
This local non-profit, now in its third year, features dozens of breweries, cideries, and distilleries, mostly from Washington and Oregon. Visitors can enjoy samples of more than 70 varieties of beer, eight ciders, four types of mead and an array of whiskey from the whiskey bar – along with a host of entertainment options.
“It’s going to be packed,” Gray said. “We’ll have the local pipe and drum folks come through for St. Patrick’s Day, but this isn’t just a St. Patrick’s Day celebration – it’s also the first weekend of March Madness, and we have a lot of hoops fun planned.”
The two-day Spring festival will feature two big-screen TVs showcasing March Madness games and a series of free-throw shooting contests with prizes from local breweries. The TVs will be part of a free raffle at the end of the festivities.
“The Blazer Dancers will also be on hand each day to cheer on participants in the free-throw shooting contest,” Gray said.
Last year, the festival was held at Vancouver Landing and had about 3,650 people attend over two days. Organizer Cody Gray said he expects a similar turnout this year at Esther Short Park and advises event-goers to buy their tickets in advance.
“We want to encourage people to buy their tickets online,” Gray said. “Otherwise there will probably be a wait to get in if people show up on Saturday. We do think Friday will be a little less packed.”
But, the Vancouver Brewfest isn’t just about great beer and a good time, it’s about giving back to the community. The Vancouver Brewfest has donated over $40,000 to charities since 2012, and part of the proceeds from this year’s Spring Edition festival will be split between Northwest Battle Buddies, Second Chance Companions, Disabled American Veterans and the Mount St. Helens Institute.
“We were voted the favorite event in 2016 by the Vancouver Downtown Association, and we think visitors will continue to have a fantastic time at this year’s event,” Gray said. “It’s a great way to sample new local beers, support some great charities, enjoy some basketball and just have fun right here in Clark County, Washington.”
The Vancouver Brewfest Spring Edition will be open Friday, March 17, from 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm, and Saturday, March 18, from noon to 10:00 pm. This is a 21+ event only, and can only accommodate service dogs due to space (the main summer Brewfest is pet-friendly). For more information or to buy tickets, please visit Vancouver Brewfest online.
