If you like beer, you’re really going to love Huntsville in May.
Huntsville’s Downtown BIA will be hositng a beer festival on Saturday, May 21. Because it falls on the long weekend, it is being called the Muskoka 24 Craft Beer Festival, said the BIA’s Helena Renwick. She was at Huntsville’s General Committee on February 24 delivering the news.
She said the BIA would be partnering with a number of different stakeholders including the Rotary Club of Huntsville, which will be inaugurating the bandshell at River Mill Park on the same weekend.
“So we thought it would make a great combination to have the launching of the downtown River Mill Park bandshell and in the afternoon having this craft beer festival,” said Renwick, adding the BIA will be partnering with a number of media as well business partners and it’s “coming together quickly.”
She noted that Huntsville has never had a beer festival before and thanks to the suggestion of downtown merchant Bob Chipperfield, his idea is now coming to life.
Renwick was before the Committee asking that the Town waive any fees associated with putting on the event.
When asked by Councillor Jonathan Wiebe, Renwick confirmed it is hoped the festival will turn into an annual event She said help has been solicited from the group that hosts a similar event in Bracebridge in August at Annie Williams Park. “They have done this numerous times and they’re very good at what they do,” said Renwick. She said they would also promote Huntsville’s event while Huntsville would promote theirs.
“It’s not going to be a huge drunkfest,” she assured committee to chuckles.
It’s really about craft beer and we’re attracting a certain audience… a little more mature and a little more interested in craft as opposed to getting drunk.
There will be a cover to get into the park on that day although the price has yet to be determined.
Councillor Det Schumacher said the Stephenson Lions Club is having a pike tournament on that day so maybe they’ll turn up afterwards. Schumacher also said he is a proponent of getting such events to the main street of Huntsville and asked that if the event progresses, that a spillover be considered.
Renwick said if it develops in future, the idea of closing off Main Street could certainly be discussed.
She said the BIA is looking for an estimated 10 craft breweries to participate in the event as well as vendors.
For more information contact the BIA at 705-789-1400.
Fabulous idea ..we have outstanding breweries here and we should be showcasing them and having some fun at the same time. Good for you BIA
It is to be hoped that we can look forward to more than 10 craft breweries for this event. As an annual attendee of the Bracebridge event, I would estimate that they have almost 50; as well as musicians (Lighthouse, Hawksley Workman, Madison Violet, etc. last year); comedians; exhibitions (e.g. gymnastics); and games for all ages.
I am a non-drinker, but it’s always worth it for the music, the food, and the general atmosphere. I trust that the spirit of cooperation, inherent in the hospital presentation, will thrive with this event and into many more areas in the future. The time is long past when our communities were in constant competition: sharing knowledge and resources will produce financial benefits for both.
About time something is happening in Huntsville.