About 1,000 attend annual event
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EVANSTON — Brewfest returned to Depot Square on Saturday, July 17, when approximately 1,000 people spent an afternoon listening to live music, sampling beer and local wares and enjoying the summer sunshine. According to Julie O’Connell with the Evanston Urban Renewal Agency (EURA), which hosts Brewfest, the event was a successful fundraiser for the group, raising just over $26,000.
O’Connell said Brewfest featured 44 different beverages — two drinks each from 22 brewers — and this year’s event included seltzers for the first time, which she said were a hit.
“Many of these breweries donate their own beer for this event and we are extremely grateful,” she said.
The EURA sold tickets in advance using the Eventbrite app, which O’Connell said was also very successful, with approximately 800 people buying tickets in advance. Others were able to purchase tickets at the door, where attendees could also purchase keepsake lanyards, which quickly sold out.
As in recent years — with the exception of 2020 when Brewfest was canceled due to the pandemic — the band “Natural Causes” featuring Mark Koelbel of Salt Lake City’s KUTV News played throughout the event.
“They have a huge following throughout the Salt Lake Valley,” O’Connell said, “and Koelbel talks about our Brewfest during news broadcasts throughout the week.
“This year,” O’Connell continued, “he even invited us to promote the Brewfest and other Evanston happenings on the Fresh Living segment on Friday (July 16). Rocco O’Neill with Evanston Economic Development was able to do this interview and shared last-minute information about the Brewfest and also talked about the downtown afterparty and racetrack.”
O’Connell said it was a busy weekend in Evanston, and hotels were sold out.
“Many Brewfest attendees also took advantage of the afterparty on Main Street,” said O’Connell. “Tables were brought outside in the middle of the street, bingo was played and music enjoyed by DJ AJ.”
O’Connell said both food vendors at Brewfest — For Pete’s Sake and Zippés — sold out of food.
