Brewfest benefits theater group

Rails & Ales to feature beer and wine tasting, live entertainment

Heritage Plaza in downtown Altoona comes alive with music, food trucks and a variety of brewers, distilleries and wineries at Rails & Ales Brewfest to benefit Altoona Community Theatre at 3 p.m. Aug. 19.

"We're excited," said Tara Enedy, executive director for the all-volunteer live performance organization that presents four main stage events at the Mishler Theatre each season. Last year's event attracted about 375 attendees.

"Our attendance has been growing and growing. This is our third year at Heritage Plaza and we've added new breweries and distilleries and we've brought back our homebrew contest."

Homebrewers have until Aug. 10 to enter a brew in IPA, ale, lager, dark (stout, porter) or specialty (cider, fruit) categories.

Jaded Lips, an Altoona-based band, will perform its "homegrown rock and soul" for attendees. "Jaded Lips is now a nationally-touring band that has a large local following," she said.

"The proceeds go to our general fund and are used to produce our four main stage shows on stage at the Mishler," Enedy said. "It allows us to build sets, pay musicians and purchase and make costumes. As a non-profit, we rely on fundraisers to keep us afloat."

Tickets for general admission cost $35 in advance or $40 the day of the event, $60 for VIP entrance at 2 p.m. and a $15 designated driver ticket. Attendees must present ID and be 21 years and over. Participants are asked to leave those under 21 and pets at home.

A general admission ticket includes tastings of more than 80 adult beverages offered by 15 brewers, three wineries and one distillery using a sample glass and includes a pretzel necklace.

A VIP ticket -- only available for purchase in advance -- gains early entry and includes hors d'oeuvres by the U.S. Hotel of Hollidaysburg and an acoustic performance by Jaded Lips, Enedy said.

Brewers include Big Oyster Brewery, Big Truck Farm Brewery, Coyote Hole Craft Beverage,

Juniata Brewing Company, Levity Brewing Company, Railroad City Brewing, Sugar Run Brewing and more. Distributors attending are Brewery Products of York, City Beverage and Furrer, both of Altoona, Hickory Beverage of Alexandria, Inco Beverage of Johnstown, Logan Beverage of Tyrone and Nittany Beverage of State College. If beer isn't your thing, wine samples will be available from Bella Terra Vineyards of Bedford, Groundhog Winery of Punxsutawney and Oak Spring Winery of Altoona and Cold Spring Hollow Distillery of Mercersburg.

Additionally, several food trucks will have their signature dishes available for attendees to purchase. Foodies will enjoy hot dogs, burgers and desserts from Bites, Mexican street corn prepared by Children of the Cob, Mediterranean Banquet and Liz's Kitchen.

The event is sponsored by Saleme Insurance, sample glasses sponsored by Sheetz and tents by Encompass Health, Altoona Family Dentistry and Lamar Advertising.

The event will be held "rain or shine," Enedy said. "We have lots of tents so there will be cover. The music will be good and the beer will be cold. We want this to be a big success."

For more information and ticket sales, visit www.railsandalesaltoona.com/brews/ or call 814-943-4357.