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player ready...When more people attend Hobart Brews & Blues that means more special events for the city of Hobart.
Now in its fourth year, the festival that benefits Hobart’s Events and Parks departments takes place on Sept. 16 at Festival Park in Hobart.
“It definitely brings the community together. Everybody loves coming out to Festival Park. It’s within walking distance to meet with families and friends,” said Nikki Lopez, event director for the city of Hobart.
“This event is one of our only fundraising events that puts money back into my event budget. I’m responsible for raising all the money for all these events through partnerships and sponsorships. This particular event is the only ticketed event.
“This really helps build my budget for the next year to be able to bring all the free events that we do. That’s why we started this one. Brew fests were up and coming. We knew they were really getting popular.”
Burn ‘Em Brewing, of Michigan City; the Devil’s Trumpet Brewing Co., of Merrillville; and Windmill Brewing, of Dyer, are among the Hobart Brews & Blues vendors.
“We have quite a few local breweries. We are up to 15 locals that will be coming out and sampling their brews. Everybody from around the region, you’ll get to sample all those beers in one spot,” said Lopez, of Hobart.
New is an option for attendees who are more interested in the live music component of Hobart Brews & Blues rather than the samplings.
“This year we are opening our beer garden early. In the past we’ve only done the sampling until 6 p.m. and at 6 p.m. we would open a beer garden and have a concert-type setting where people would purchase beer,” she said.
“Not everybody wants to come do sampling. They want to buy beer as they like and watch the concert so we’re offering a concert ticket this year. The $10 concert ticket allows you to come in at 3 p.m. beer garden style.”
Ronn Barany, of Portage, and John Derado, of Valparaiso, perform at 3 p.m. while the Kinsey Report, which originated in Gary and has performed at Hobart Brews & Blues annually, play at 6 p.m.
“We always have great blues bands playing. This year we have Ronn Barany and John Derado opening up,” said Lopez.
“The Kinsey Report is one of the top blues bands in the area. Their guitarist, Donald Kinsey, actually played with Bob Marley and the Wailers. We always like to have them out here. It’s a cool thing to be able to listen to them.”
Those who opt for the unlimited sampling ticket are entitled to a commemorative glass. Food also will be available for purchase.
Lopez said the setting of Hobart Brews & Blues on Lake George makes it an ideal location to enjoy entertainment.
“That’s one of the things that we just seem to have luck with here in Hobart. We’re really fortunate to be right on the lakefront. We have the perfect setup and venue for something like this,” she said.
“Because of the time of year, it gives everybody a break from summer festivities and it’s kind of like one last hurrah before everyone is stuck inside for the cold winter months.”
Jessi Virtusio is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
Hobart Brews & Blues
When: 3 p.m. Sept. 16
Where: Festival Park, 111 E. Old Ridge Road, Hobart
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Admission: $10 general concert admission (no sampling); $35 unlimited sampling; attendees must be 21 or older
Information: 219-942-2987; http://www.cityofhobart.org(click Special Events)