Tarentum councilman aims to make borough a destination with Craft Beer Fest

With plans underway for the second annual Craft Beer Festival in Tarentum, organizers are looking to adjust the timing to account for the weather.

“Everything was great, but it was boiling hot,” event coordinator Brian Snyder said of last year’s festival, held in August at Dreshar Stadium.

Snyder, a member of Tarentum Council, got the green light from council last week to move the celebration to late September, at the earliest. A date has not been confirmed.

The format likely will be the same as last year because it was a success, Snyder said, but he would like to see the event grow each year.

“I’d like to see it get to the point where we could have a national headlining band,” he said, citing that Blues Traveler performed at Kittanning Riverfront Park last year.

“Our Riverview (Memorial) Park is gorgeous. I love to bring people in and let them see our business district and pass by our restaurants. I’m trying to make Tarentum a destination.”

Last year, the cost was $20 per person for a daylong event that featured six bands, art and brew.

Patrons could sample a variety of regionally brewed beers and other spirits, including vodka made by Boyd & Blair Distillery in Glenshaw.

Each of the five breweries — Old Thunder Brewing, Voodoo Brewery, Dancing Gnome, Arboretum Trail Brewing and Allusion Brewing — has expressed a desire to return, Snyder said.

“I’d like to add a few, and I’d like to get some variety with the food, too,” he said.

The art exhibits will again be curated by the borough’s Manos Gallery.

Snyder will take submissions from bands that want to perform. He expects to have four or five groups that will perform throughout the day and evening.

A steady crowd last year was estimated to top 1,000 patrons at the stadium.

Proceeds benefited the borough’s three fire departments, Eureka, Summit and Highland Hose, with each getting about $1,380, borough Finance Director Alice Drisko said.

“We’re happy for anything that helps the town out,” Eureka Chief Rich Heuser said.

Money was put into the department’s general equipment fund.

Based on ticket sales, Snyder said 90% of the people came in from across the region.

“We had people from South Hills, Pittsburgh, North Hills,” he said. “I love bringing new people in and letting them see how nice Tarentum is. It’s just a nice day to go out and walk around, hear good music, see some art and have a beer or two.”