Tapping into Galena Brewfest for a Fun and Worthy Community Cause

As a recent returnee to the Tri-States, I am quickly discovering that there are countless events, adventures, and community organizations to tap into and support.

Such as it was at the Galena Brewfest on Saturday afternoon at Chestnut Mountain Resort in Galena. The event raised funds for the Galena ARC, which hosts dozens of art, recreation, and cultural programs for youth and adults.

The Galena Art & Recreation Center - ARC provides fun opportunities ranging from art workshops and music lessons to cooking classes and a pottery studio!

Additionally, there are youth fitness leagues, including karate, basketball, baseball, soccer, and volleyball, to name a few. Adults may partake in a pickleball league and enjoy fitness classes from tai chi to yoga.

In short, the Galena ARC emphasizes health and wellness and does an excellent job promoting the community.

From its inception, the Galena ARC has been privately funded, does not receive tax money, and is not part of a park or recreation district. The board and staff work towards creating long-term financial stability. Annually the Galena ARC raises $50,000 outside of its programming to work towards this end.

And with any active community organization, they raise funds with several events throughout the year, including an annual dinner, the 5k Shamrock Shimmy road race, and Brewfest.

The Brewfest event venue was at Chestnut Mountain on a spectacular Saturday afternoon; scenic Mississippi River views in the distance, the hopping affair featured several area brewers, winemakers, and others from as far away as Seattle.

Additionally, local purveyors like AcroAma Blends were on-hand to help spice things up!

Their gourmet seasoning blends by award-winning Chef Stephen Dowe are handcrafted in small batches with 100% organic ingredients and sustainably produced. Look for them at area farmer's markets.

Brewfest also hit the right note with acoustic music provided by Sam Wooden, who kept the attendee's toes tapping along with all the beer sipping.

Galena Cider Company was a fun new find. They are local & homegrown, churning out delicious apple products, including venturing into the alcoholic cider category. Look for future stories about this tasty venture!

The crowd was fun and had a good vibe with the beer, wine, and food samples flowing over the three-hour event.

If this is a typical Galena ARC event and knowing the good cause it supports and community programs delivered, sign me up for the next round.

Inside or outside the tent, there was plenty of room to relax and enjoy the environs.

To learn more about the Galena Arts and Recreation Center, visit GalenaARC.org.