Ending August on a fun note with the Corks & Kegs Festival
Photo by Chis Gooden
You know summer is winding down when the Corks & Kegs Festival kicks off a weekend of fun at the Hollywood Casino at the Meadows in North Strabane. The free event, sponsored by the Observer-Reporter, is slated for this Saturday and Sunday and expects to attract not only beer and wine aficionados, but kids and teetotalers too.
Vendors Weigh In
The event began in 2015, when Hollywood Casino at the Meadows and the Observer-Reporter joined together with a goal to make the event the largest craft beer and wine festival in Southwest Pennsylvania.
“We wanted to provide the biggest wine, beer and spirits options in a festival concept, along with great food selections to pair with the alcohol options, while also offering the best entertainment around,” said Jim Broadway, vice president of food and beverages at the Meadows.
Angela Burgess, owner of the Washington Winery, The Washington Brewing Company and the Burgess & Burgess Distillery, has been participating in the event since its inception.
“The event allows our small family-owned businesses to reach a large audience,” said Burgess, who will be in attendance with a new line of ready-to-drink bottled cocktails from Burgess & Burgess Distillery.
“We will have six different margaritas, a few vodka drinks and a very popular Espresso Martini,” she said.
Broadway said that The Meadows will be selling sample tickets for the many beer, wine and spirits’ options, along with VIP packages and Corks & Kegs souvenir glassware and T-shirts.
Washington-based Bones Distillery is this year’s newbie.
“We’ve only been open for four months, so this will be our first time participating in the event,” said owner Glenn Green.
Green is bringing along vodka, rum, whiskey, moonshine, sipping cream, fruit brandy and other craft spirits and is hoping to create brand recognition by attending the event.
“I hope that decision makers will try my products since selling wholesale to bars and restaurants is my ultimate goal,” he said.
There will also be plenty of food available to pair with the many adult libations served in tents at the festival. Approximately 17 food trucks will be in attendance, offering items like BBQ, French fries, hot dogs, pit beef, seafood and more.
Those with a sweet tooth may enjoy Patti’s Pastries. Owner Patti Schvabenitz is of the opinion that more is more when it comes to baked goods. Schvabenitz’s line of jumbo-sized gourmet cupcakes come in mouth-watering flavors like tiramisu, peanut butter & jelly and maple bourbon bacon. Schvabenitz said that she’s been participating for a decade now.
“The team who puts on this fun festival are the best people to work with. They make it easy and enjoyable and really care not just about the community, but also about how they treat their vendors, and we appreciate that very much,” she said.
Patrick Joyce, owner of South Side BBQ Company echoes that sentiment, adding that the food is fantastic, and the party-like atmosphere makes smiles contagious.
“This will be our second year attending and we wouldn’t miss it. It’s the place to be,” he said.
In addition to food and drinks, more than 40 vendors will be present for visitors to get their shop on. Items like candles, apparel, handcrafted jewelry and more will be available during the weekend.
Additional entertainment will include a classic car show and a musical lineup that includes Bon Journey, Six Gun Sally, Radio Tokyo, My So-Called 90’s and the Clintones.
“Each year we look forward to the festival to bring community members of all ages together for a fun experience to hang out, eat delicious food, listen to live music and so much more,” said Broadway.
The event is free to the public, with an extra charge to partake in the alcoholic drinks served in the tents onsite for those 21 and older.
For additional information, visit the festival’s Facebook page, or website at www.corksandkegsfestival.com.