Bellingham’s largest beer fest returns, raising funds for developmental disabilities center
April Brews Day, Bellingham’s largest beer festival, is back on Saturday, April 27, but the waterfront event is about more than just local breweries.
The annual event is a fundraiser put on by the Max Higbee Center, a local organization that creates recreation programs for kids and adults with developmental disabilities.
The beer festival was created specifically for the Max Higbee Center 23 years ago and quickly became an annual event.
“It started in 2001 and at that point, beer festivals weren’t really a thing and we had a couple of board members when the center was in danger of being shut down. And so they needed to raise some funds. They thought, you know, people always do these wine events. We don’t really like wine, let’s do a beer event,” Katie Gray, an event planner hired for April Brews Day organizers, said in an interview with The Bellingham Herald.
“All of the profits from the event go right back into the center to keep serving folks with developmental disabilities,” Gray said.
The event will feature over 65 craft breweries and cideries from the Pacific Northwest, along with two stages for live music, a silent disco, lawn games, a “Zen den” and food trucks.
Bands such as Out of the Ashes, Heavy Bloom and Hard Maybe will perform on the main stage.
“Our title sponsor, WECU, they’ve been with us for a few years now, and especially when talking about the entertainment the ability for us to have two stages and all of this extra entertainment really wouldn’t be possible without the support that we could have given us over the last few years,” Gray said.
Tickets are available online in advance and at the door for an additional $10. General admission tickets online are $50 and include eight tasting tickets, a commemorative stainless steel tasting cup and pretzels. VIP tickets are sold out. The event is strictly for ages 21 and older.
There is still a need for volunteers for the event, according to Gray. Volunteers will receive free admission and for some, a free growler of beer at the end of the night. The interest form for volunteers is on the event’s website.
The event runs from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Saturday, April 27 at the Bellingham waterfront at 1145 Granary Ave.
