For Ryan Baxter, stopping by the Pints by the Pond event held by the Batavia Park District over the weekend was a nice way spend a sunny fall afternoon.
“I was at this last year and they always have great beers and it’s fun to see the different breweries,” he said while standing with friends and family outside the Peg Bond Center at the event on Saturday, which included a dozen local breweries as well as food trucks. “I live downtown and it’s always fun to come down and feel home again and the day couldn’t be better. I think this is so popular because of the close-knit community and everybody wants to come out.”
The special ticketed four-hour event was offered for the fifth time by the Batavia Park District.
Katie Burgess, director of creative development and community engagement for the Batavia Park District, said the event offers “something fun to do in the community.”
“We are excited as people in Batavia and the Fox Valley area really love beverages and local breweries and most of the ones here are from Fox Valley,” she said of the fest. “Every year, things have gotten a little bigger. We usually average about 400 to 450 people.”
“A lot of people bring their own chairs and set up a table and sort of set up their mini-Ravinia and sit with friends and hang out in that space,” Burgess said.
The event, she said, offered 29 beverage choices in all. Two breweries – Stockholm’s Brewery in Geneva and Bubblehouse Brewing in Lisle – joined this fall’s line-up along with 10 more breweries “that are among our favorites and are coming back.”
“We also are having live music this year with the Waubonsee Community Steel Drum Band,” Burgess said.
Randel Chance of Hampshire came with her mother Kathy Chance for the event.
“I like trying unique beers and I like to go around and hear how they were made and what the history is behind them,” Randel Chance said.
“We are part German and so this beer thing is kind of acquired,” Kathy Chance said. “I didn’t come to any events ever in Batavia until I went to one of their concerts and I saw how cute it was by this pond and park and I said I really wanted to try this for a few years.”
Deana Myers of Batavia said she was back for the fifth time at the event.
“I’m back because it’s a great way to be with the community,” she said. “We see people that played sports with our kids and people that we live near.”
Myers spoke about the craft beer culture in general and said she believes it makes people venture out as they try different styles that “someone makes and then you want to go back there.”
David Sharos is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.