Brilliant time at Porterville Brewfest
Despite some rain showers earlier in the day, the green park at the Porterville Veterans Memorial building was a gorgeous place on Saturday, March 17, to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.
As usual the Porterville Breakfast Lion’s Club hosted the Brewfest and St. Patrick was surely smiling down on the festivities. There was another beer festival in Visalia, so there were not as many vendors as usual, but a good time was had by the 500 people who attended.
Kirk Lindgren and The Irregulars entertained the crowd from the gazebo, while the while clouds billowed overhead in a sparkling blue sky.
Stan Kelly and the Gold Rush Ramblers brought their beautifully restored cars from all over California to attend the Brewfest and enjoy the time together.
Mike Tarrango and Chris Leon from The Hot Spot Barbeque had a booth and cooked barbecue to order while people sampled the beer at their booth.
Ace Pineapple Hard Cider was very popular and ran out halfway through the five hour festival.
“We came from Vallejo, California to enjoy the festival and bring the cars,” said Cindy Kelly, the wife of Stan Kelly, who owns many of the classic AMC and Rambler cars exhibited at the annual beer festival in Porterville. Batie, the Kelly’s daughter and son-in-law Joe Favro were running one of the beer booths, and were very hospitable. Elizabeth Simpson, a good friend of Cindy, has known her since kindergarten, and helped drive a car to town.
Don Vino’s Italian Restaurant in Porterville prepared carne asada tacos to order for festival attendee’s for a nominal price, along with Peroni and Modelo beers at their booth.
Glen Harrington loves coming to the Brewfest every year and said it is an awesome event.
Another yearly visitor from Lake Isabella is Jack Collins, who says he always has a great time in the casual atmosphere and the beer is always outstanding. He especially liked the Mirror Pond Pale Ale by Deschutes Brewery.
Michael James Sengone was standing in the sun near the Tulare County Home Brewers Club booth and said he was enjoying the festival and the beer with his friend Amanda Serna.
“It’s a lot of fun, but I don’t even drink,” said Richard Smart, of Porterville as he stood talking with a bunch of friends, including Tony Lopez who said, “It’s always great at the Brewfest.”
Lisa Sanchez and Jerry Kirby enjoyed the Brewfest, and said it was her first time tasting the brews. Sanchez said she enjoyed the wine, a Moscato and a blush Moscato by Canyon Oaks Winery. “The wine was sweet with a nice aftertaste, and I can drink it with my friends.”
Virginia and Sal Gurrola dropped by and they remarked it was a beautiful sunny day for the festival and were glad the rain cleared for the popular annual festival.
Samuel Barreras enjoyed the beer and casual atmosphere and said he was pleasantly surprised to see so many people enjoying “mingling” and remarked he doesn’t see a lot of social interaction in Porterville.
Perfect Blend and Fine Cigars from Fresno, had a booth selling 40 different kind of cigars.
Daniel Swartout of Porterville said he had a blast at the festival and was enjoying the beer along with great weather.
Kirk Lindgren who was still playing guitar and singing thanked Gary Wallace who organized the beer festival and thanked him for his sponsorship as chairman of the Breakfast Lions Club.