Sussex Brewfest Returns in May
SAINT JOHN — The Ascend Sussex Rotary Brewfest is returning to Sussex this spring after a three-year hiatus.
The third edition of this Rotary Club fundraiser is back and taking place on May 27, introducing the craft brew crowd to the work the organization does both internationally and here at home.
“We’re really able to reach a totally new demographic with our Brewfest,” says Angela Cummings of the Sussex Rotary Club.
After switching from the club’s previous dinner and silent auction model in 2018, the Brewfest is now one of the hottest tickets in town, with an anticipated 200 to 300 attendees and over 10 breweries showcasing their best ales, pilsners, stouts, and other tasty brews.
Cummings says the event is a lot of fun to organize and even more fun to attend, as the whole town and people from even further afield, gather for the event. In previous years the Brewfest has had attendees not only from Saint John, Moncton, and Fredericton but have also welcomed visitors from as far away as New Orleans and France.
And every so often she gets the chance to tell people about the Rotary Club and what it does.
“Younger people [ask us]: ‘what is Rotary? I thought it was an old man’s club. What do you guys do anyway?’,” she says. “They were able to learn more about it and were able to spread the word about some of the good work we do.”
This year’s event will be supporting ongoing projects in the area like Coats for Kids where the club buys winter coats for children in need.
“We also support the Dolly Parton Imagination Library where we buy books for preschool children. They receive a book in the mail every month from birth to five years.”
International work continues to be a priority for the club, with proceeds from the Brewfest going to help provide clean drinking water and mobile hospitals in Africa.
Running an event supporting a great cause is reward enough, but Cummings says she also loves how Brewfest brings the entire town together, people meeting up and seeing each other again, and making new friends.
“My favourite part of the event happens after when I get to see all of the pictures, because I’m running it and I only get to see where I’m standing,” she says. “When people get posting pictures, I get to see all the social interactions. “
“It really gives you a great perspective on how much fun it really was.”
The Ascend Sussex Rotary Brewfest takes place Saturday May 27, from 6 pm to 9 pm with tickets available at Eventbrite.
Alex Graham is a Huddle reporter in Saint John. Send her your feedback and story ideas: [email protected].