The Lincoln Lager Barleyfest Committee is very proud to announce two donations totaling $3,750 to the Merrill Historical Society and the City of Merrill Park Endowment Fund from the proceeds of the 5th Annual Lincoln Lager Barleyfest.
Including these donations, the Barleyfest Committee has donated over $11,000 to local charities in its five year existence. Past benefactors include: Lincoln County Humane Society, Merrill Food Pantry, Normal Park Improvements, and Merrill Tornado Relief Fund.
The Lincoln Lager Barleyfest is a safe and unique craft beer tasting festival organized by the Lincoln Lager Barleyfest Committee, as a function of the Merrill Parks & Recreation Department. The Festival relies 100% on sponsorship support and ticket sales in order to run the event and contribute to these charities. Without the generosity of our local businesses and volunteer committee, the festival would never have become a reality.
Attendance has grown from 180 in the first year to over 600 this past year, greatly enhancing the community tourism trade. This event brought in over 300 people from outside the Merrill area. Using ticket stubs it was determined that festival attendees came from 76 different cities and 6 different states. It has always been a goal of the Barleyfest Committee to make this festival a destination event for not only our own citizens, but to showcase our community to visitors.
Plans are already well underway for the 6th Annual Lincoln Lager Barleyfest, to be held at the Smith Center Arena at the MARC on Oct. 5, 2013, from 2-6 p.m. For additional information and to see past sponsors, breweries, and view pictures please visit www.llbarleyfest.com or “like” Lincoln Lager Barleyfest on Facebook.