There was a time when beer was an important part of community gatherings. When families would come together in public beer gardens and enjoy an afternoon of camaraderie, playing games singing songs and generally enjoying what amounted to a family day in the park. With the recent decision to allow the Shore Craft Beer Fest and Riverwalk Celebration, the City of Salisbury is working to recreate those days and memories.
The June 18 event is a community-wide partnership between the Arts and Entertainment District, the City and the craft beer community. The more-than-a-dozen breweries that have committed to attending will stand side by side with artists and artisans as the city celebrates the reopening of the Salisbury Riverwalk.
The event begins with a ribbon cutting at 12:30 p.m. signalling the completion of the years-long Riverwalk sidewalk replacement. Throughout the afternoon people will be allowed to sample some of the region’s finest craft beer while enjoying live local music provided by some of the area’s premiere bands.
All along Market Street, children’s performers will entertain the younger attendees at interactive stations that will include a sidewalk chalk mural on the side of the library, while all along the Riverwalk artists will be working in the open as part of the Art Institute and Gallery’s inaugural Plein Air event.
The event on the Riverwalk ends at 4:30 p.m., but people will be invited back to Hoppers in Salisbury to participate in the Wet Paint sale, wherein the paintings completed that morning will be available for sale from the artists until 7 p.m. Shuttles to and from the event from Ocean City will also be available for those who preregister.
More details about the Shore Craft Beer Fest and Riverwalk Celebration can be found at www.ShoreCraftBeerFest.com.
