The Lincoln Lager Barleyfest Committee is proud to announce the donation of $8,000 to the new Bierman Family Aquatic Center from the proceeds of the 8th Annual Lincoln Lager Barleyfest. Including this donation, the Barleyfest Committee has donated over $20,000 to local charities in its eight years of existence. Past benefactors include: Lincoln County Humane Society, Merrill Food Pantry, Normal Park Improvements, Merrill Tornado Relief Fund, and the Merrill Park Endowment Fund.
The Lincoln Lager Barleyfest event 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. Since year one, Dave’s County Market has been the presenting sponsor.
“We are extremely fortunate to have such a wonderful presenting sponsor and could not have started this event without them,” said Dan Wendorf, Merrill Park & Recreation director. “Without the generosity of our local businesses and volunteer committee, the festival would never become a reality.”
Attendance has grown each year, greatly enhancing the community tourism trade. Once again this year attendance was almost 600 people, with over 300 of them coming from outside the Merrill Area. Using ticket stubs it was determined that festival attendees came from over 60 different cities and seven 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,” Wendorf said.
Plans are already underway for the 9th Annual Lincoln Lager Barleyfest, to be held at the Smith Center Arena at the MARC on Oct. 1, 2016, from 2-6 p.m. For additional information and to see past sponsors, breweries, and view pictures please visit www.llbarleyfest.com, “like” Lincoln Lager Barleyfest on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter @llbarleyfest.