This Saturday we celebrate the 20th anniversary of Brewfest

Author: Wayne E. Rivet

Staff writer

When Billi Lynn and Tux Burke heard there was a possibility of the Maine Lakes Brewfest being canceled, they decided it was “time to go home.”

As the popular Brewfest celebrates its 20th anniversary, it seems quite fitting that two of the driving forces kick-starting fundraising for the Greater Bridgton Chamber of Commerce are back behind the wheel.

“We were really concerned that it wasn’t going to happen,” Billi Lynn said. “We couldn’t let this happen, so it was time to go home (to the Chamber) and make sure the Beer Festival continued.”

Brewfest takes place this Saturday, September 28 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Ham Complex, located on BRAG Way (just off Route 302). The event features over 20 breweries, food vendors and live music.

Tickets are $35 ($10 for non-drinkers) and can be purchased at MaineLakesBrewfest.com or at the door. This is an event for over 21 people. Identification documents are required. There is a $10 parking fee, with proceeds going to the Ham Complex.

Terms & Conditions: No refunds, no backpacks, no coolers, and no outside food or drinks.

With the Chamber currently undergoing an administrative transition, the Burkes took over management of Brewfest for just six weeks. While it has been a lot of work trying to put all the pieces together, the Burkes say it feels like twenty years ago they, then executive director Mike McClellan and local brewer Mike Bray, were first figuring out how to bring a brew festival to the region as a major fundraiser money for the Chamber.

“We had just opened our real estate office and had not been there for a week when the Chamber’s executive director (McClellan) stopped by our office and asked for membership. I said, “sure,” and he asked, “How about being on our board of directors?” I said OK,’ recalls Billi Lynn. “He said he came to us because he wanted to organize an event together.”

Billi Lynn brought her “organizational skills” to the table, while Tux had contacts in the entertainment industry.

The first Brewfest was held at Casco Days Park and approximately 300 people attended.

“One person played the violin and the only people who worked on it were my husband, me, our children and the office workers,” Billi Lynn said. “We were volunteers. We were security. Whatever you call it, we did it.

After the second Brewfest in Casco, where attendance increased significantly from 300 to 700, the decision was made to move the event to Point Sebago. The change of venue significantly moved the attendance needle from 700 to 1,200. 1,500 people came. The following year, attendance grew to 2,100. In the last year the Burkes worked at Brewfest, the number reached 2,900 people and more than 30 brewers.

This event provided the Chamber with a solid financial injection. Tux managed to attract bands to play for free at Brewfest, while the list of vendors willing to participate continued to grow.

“The timing was perfect, the last Saturday just before the start of the Fryeburg Fair. There was a lot of positive energy,” the couple said.

The pair developed a Brewfest manual and passed it on to another group of organizers.

“They had all the tools they needed to keep the bus running,” Billi Lynn said, noting that she resigned from the Chamber amid a serious health crisis. “The foundations were in place.”

Recently, the Chamber decided to move Brewfest from Point Sebago to the Ham Complex in Bridgton. Since taking over the leadership of Brewfest, the Burkes have spent time promoting the event through social media and signage. They lined up at Carbon 14 to be entertained. Some brewers will present new suds. Several food truck vendors pulled out due to scheduling conflicts (some planned to work at the Fryeburg Fair and had to be there on Friday, leaving no time to set up and operate Brewfest, while others committed to Music on Main, which hosts a monthly free concert on the same day, lack of manpower to organize two events). Volunteers are ready. They received strong financial support from sponsors such as Dave Allenson of UFO (Umbrella Factory Outlet) in Naples. Even the weather looks very promising.

“I’m excited that we’ll both be back doing it after 8 p.m^vol anniversary. If we do it right, and I know we will, it will be a great event,” added Billi Lynn. “There weren’t really any challenges. It’s just blood, sweat and tears. We show up, do our job, and make it a fun day.