By Khalida Sarwari
Who says the fun stops after Labor Day? In Saratoga, it will keep going well until Sept. 6, when the Saratoga Chamber of Commerce holds its first ever Brews and Blues festival at Wildwood Park.
Brews and Blues will basically be a continuation of everyone’s Labor Day barbecue, except on a grander scale. Sure, there’ll be barbecue and sliders, but there’ll also be live music and popular microbreweries, which will each offer at least two different varieties of beer. The cherry on top is that the Kona Ice truck will also be there serving shaved ice, and they’ve announced that they will donate 25 percent of their proceeds to a charity. The Chamber’s charity of choice is the Audrie Pott Foundation, said Chamber president Pat Martell. The event coincides with the Sept. 10, 2012, death of the Saratoga High School student in whose memory the foundation was begun.
“One wouldn’t think that Saratoga needs any charities, but in this case where it’s so sensitive and it’s close to the community’s heart, we thought it’d be the appropriate charity to choose,” Martell said.
Four microbreweries are participating in the event, including Firestone and Walker, Faultline Brewing, Santa Clara Brewing and Hermitage Brewing, pouring everything from traditional to flavored craft beers. Wine drinkers will not feel left out, as both Cooper-Garrod Estate and Guglielmo wineries will be pouring. A menu consisting of beef sliders, brats, vegetarian fare, stuffed tater tots and barbecue will be provided courtesy of Handheld Catering.
It wouldn’t be a Brews and Blues festival without the music. Shakedancer Blues Revue will play old school blues and soul music favorites.
Martell anticipates that about 500 people will attend the event.
“We’re crossing our fingers,” she said.
Brews and Blues will be from 3 to 7 p.m. at Wildwood Park, 20764 Fourth St., Saratoga. The gates will open at 2 p.m. Because the Chamber is renting the park for the day, the facilities and lawn area will not be available to the public.
Admission to the event is $30 and includes music and one complimentary glass of wine or beer, but additional glasses of wine and beer can also be purchased. Attendees must be at least 21 to purchase beer or wine, but the event is free for children 12 and younger.
To order tickets, visit saratogachamber.org or call 408.867.0753. They’ll also be sold on the day of the event.
Saratoga Chamber’s first Brews and Blues festival coming to Wildwood Park
