Brewfest on tap Saturday
Event is major fundraiser for Porterville Breakfast Lions Club
Beer aficionados, food fans and car enthusiasts alike will all find something of interest on Saturday as the Porterville Breakfast Lions Club hosts its 14th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Brewfest at the Veterans Memorial Building, 1900 West Olive Ave., from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
“This event has been growing every year and it’s the most successful event we have,” said Breakfast Lions Club member Gary Wallace, who is chairperson of this year’s event. “We have a nice car show lined up this year as well as motorcycles, Porterville Jeep Club is going to be there, and there will be cigar sampling.”
Each year the club asks breweries, big and small, to bring their specialty beers and wines to the event and offer samples. KTIP radio sets up their stand and broadcasts live from the event.
About 700 people attended Brewfest last year, and Wallace said the event typically draws between 600 and 1,000 attendees.
“We average between $10,000 and $14,000 from this event every year,” said Wallace. “It raises the most funds for our community support.”
Proceeds from the event go a fund the Breakfast Lions Club uses for charitable activities in the community, including scholarships, and this year some of the money will go toward a remodel of the Porterville Historical Museum.
Local establishments like Don Vino’s, Pizza Factory, Eagle Mountain Casino, Harvey’s Tavern, Fat Boyz Bar and Grill in Lindsay will be providing beer, wine and food dishes at the
event.
Tulare County Homebrew Association will be featuring five different styles of beer, Spoon’s will be featuring beer-flavored frozen yogurt, and the Breakfast Lions Club will be cooking and serving sausages for attendees. Firestone Brewery from
Paso Robles will also be at the event.
“Most of these groups have been involved with the event for at least ten years,” said Wallace.
In all, those in attendance will be able to sample as many as 40 different types of beer.
Tickets for the Brewfest are $25 in advance
of the event or $30 at the door, and can be purchased from Lions Club members or from Harley’s Tavern, The Mecca, Don Vino’s, Spoons, Pizza Factory, Porterville Eagles Lodge, and Fat Boyz Bar and Grill in Lindsay.
“It’ll be a fun day,” said Wallace.