One of the fastest growing brew festivals on the South Jersey Beer Scene (Yes Ocean County is South Jersey!), Manahopkin Beer and Music Fest, is coming up on Saturday, 8/11/18 at Manahawkin Lake Park in Manahawkin.
Proceeds benefit PBA Local 297 and help many of the charities they support, including Southern Regional High School Scholarships, toy drive, clothing drive and local families in need among others. Detectives Levi McVey and Drew Smith, as well as Officers Chris Fritz and Phil Mauro, are the driving forces behind the festival which has generated over $50,000 for the PBA since its inception in 2015.
“Local 297 raised over $100,000 for charity last year and Manahopkin was a big part of that,” said Jen McBrien, Stafford Recreation Supervisor and one of the many Stafford employees who lay the groundwork to make the event a success. “The idea of Manahopkin started several years ago when Betti Anne McVey, Stafford Director of Recreation, her son, Detective McVey and Detective Smith were enjoying some beers at Pinelands Brewing Company.”
They brainstormed some fundraising ideas with the always creative and community-focused Pinelands Brewery team and working together with the PBA, Manahopkin was born.
The festival started modestly with 11 breweries participating in the inaugural event but that number has multiplied like yeast in a fermenter. “We currently have 25 breweries with more inquiring and signing on every day”, said Jen. A new twist this year, is craft beer enthusiasts will be able to vote for their favorite brewery and a Manahopking will be crowned!
And as we see time and again, our local breweries are sharing in the charitable spirit of the event, with 17 of them so far, donating at least 1 keg.
“We are also on Untapped”, said Raeann Lapenta, Recreation Department Social Media Guru (position bestowed by me, not the township!) so for those of you looking to post some unique beers, this is the fest for you!
The Manahopkin team has also come up with some interesting marketing ideas to help promote the festival and sell tickets, including pop up ticket sales at some of the local breweries. Backward Flag hosts one on 7/13, Oyster Creek on 7/14 and Manafirkin on 8/3, where rumor has it the mechanical bull, a new fair attraction will be unveiled. More pop up sales are planned for Garden State Brewing and Three 3’s.
Cat Country, 107.3, one of the more beer-friendly radio stations (They sponsored the South Jersey Beer Fest in Mays Landing last month), is the big sponsor and are also hosting brewers and guests from several breweries, with Oyster Creek on 7/12, Manafirkin July 19 and Tuckahoe July 26 to help promote the festival. Other sponsors are the Wright Law Firm, Swing Graphics, Bathfitter, Old Causeway and Walt McCollum Plumbing and Heating and Rico Sabor, Sharkbait and Bacon me Crazy are among the many food vendors participating.
“This is a family friendly event, so there will be entertainment and activities for the kids, young and old,” added Jen. “It is great that we have a town that supports events such as this and our Harvest Festival so thanks to the mayor, Mrs. McVey and the administration, for making these events possible!”
Manahopkin Craft Beer and Music Fest is Saturday, 8/11 12 – 7 PM at Manahawkin Lake Park, right off of Rte 72.
Tickets $30 on and are $35 at the door. Please check their website and social media pages for more details.
Order your tickets online at Manahopkin.com
Great beers, a great time for a great cause!
NEWS FLASH!
Manafirkin Brewery will be Hosting Bulls And Beers 8/3/18 and Ticket Presale!
Stafford PBA will be selling Manahopkin craft beer fest tickets outside of the brewery in the Stafford PBA tent. Presale event, with discounted tickets ONLY available outside of Manafirkin, featuring the mechanical bull that will be at Manahopkin.
Stafford PBA will be selling tickets discounted for $25, only available outside in the PBA tent at Manafirkin between 4-9. Stafford PBA will be giving away prizes every half hour to anyone who purchases a ticket outside in the Stafford PBA tent at Manafirkin.
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