It’s Lucky 13 for the annual Fest-of-Ale.
The 13th version of the event takes place April 4 and 5 at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre.
Not to be confused with a beer garden, the festival brings a continuous lineup of live entertainment and a host of fine food and beverage tasting to entice everyone’s pallet.
"It’s a tasting, really, it’s not a beer garden," said event chair Gitta Schoenne. "The entertainment and the food make it worth coming."
Organizers recommend getting tickets in advance, or risk being turned away at the door.
The event has skyrocketed on Penticton’s popularity charts since it started 13 years ago. Fest-of-Ale attracted over 7,000 people last year, up from 90 people its first year. Tickets for the Friday night sold out about a week in advance for last year’s event.
Over 28 brewpubs, microbreweries and regional breweries are registered to showcase their products for this year’s consumer tasting.
New breweries for 2008 include Brooklyn Brewery, Northern Ales Inc. of Newport Washington, Paddock Wood from Saskatoon and Shuswap Lake Brewing Co. of Salmon Arm.
Schoenne said you don’t have to be a beer-drinker to enjoy the festival.
Ciders will also be served among the 75 varieties and flavours of ale to taste from. Options are available for non-drinkers as well, including coffee, tea and bottled water.
Local restaurants and pubs line up an impressive spread for a chance to win the sought-after Best Food award.
The list of food vendors includes The Barking Parrot, Boston Pizza, Jeffers Fryzz, The Pasta Factory, Piggy’s BarBQ, Salty’s Beach House and Black Pearl Lounge, Jose’s Pepper Club and the Kettle Valley Station Pub. From oysters and seafood medleys to bratwurst and poutine, cooks are serving up variety and representing the many tastes of Penticton.
A lineup of local entertainment will take to the stage Friday night and Saturday.
Belly dancers from Get Bent Yoga and Belly Dancing will kick off the event on Friday at 4 p.m.
The Daybeats, a three-piece collaboration from the Valley play various styles of funk, blues and rock.
One 2 Many has been rocking in the Okanagan for 12 years with a selection of high-energy covers meant to get people on the dance floor.
Joe’s Garage aims to get rock and roll engines tuned, and party chassis lubed. Joey Richards, Chris Doskoch, Michael Root, Dave Hopia, and Larry Hirschman make up Joe’s Garage from Vancouver.
Papa Wheely and the Plus-Sized Super Models of Kelowna will wrap up the entertainment Friday night.
On Saturday, two additional bands will join the lineup. The Thursday Night Jazz Band is an 18-piece Big Band playing a variety of musical styles including swing, Latin and funk.
Flashback will bring vintage rock and roll classics with a mix of rhythm and blues.
As a registered not-for-profit society, Schoenne said the Fest-of-Ale is proud to direct proceeds from the event back into the community.
She said the event gifted $50,000 back to local organizations and initiatives last year alone.
Event organizers are also encouraging attendees to be responsible and arrange for safe rides home. The back of each ticket can be redeemed for $3 off a taxi ride.
Dry grad committees from Princess Margaret Secondary School and Pen-Hi will be offering their drive-home-safe program at the event to help raise funds for their dry grad celebrations.
Event organizer Wayne Schmuck said attendees can expect the same great party, with an ever-changing selection of food, beverage and entertainment.
"It has a little bit of everything for a nice party," said event organizer Wayne Schmuck. "And, the ability to chase over micro-breweries from all over the Pacific Northwest."
