SALISBURY, Md. – Wicomico County officials have made the difficult decision to postpone the Good Beer and Autumn Wine festivals, originally scheduled for Oct. 9-10 and Oct. 17-18, respectively.
The decision to postpone amid the COVID-19 pandemic was made after careful consideration by the Recreation, Parks & Tourism department, in coordination with the Wicomico County Health Department and Department of Emergency Services.
“Postponing these events was not a decision we made lightly,” said Cole Lacey, assistant manager of Wicomico County’s tourism division. “We know the Good Beer and Autumn Wine festivals are fall traditions for many people, but we had to prioritize the health and safety of attendees.”
The events have been shifted to the spring, with the Autumn Wine Festival scheduled for April 24-25, followed by the Good Beer Festival, April 30-May 1.
Event organizers will continue to monitor COVID-19 in the coming months and reevaluate the situation with the Wicomico County Health Department and Department of Emergency Services prior to putting tickets on sale in late winter.
Good Beer Festival organizers have pivoted their efforts to develop a new beer-focused event dubbed Good Beer, Good Bites, which will take place inside at the Wicomico Civic Center on Saturday, Oct. 3. This intimate seated tasting experience will feature three flights of craft beer, dinner, live music and tabletop games.
“We are excited to offer an event to fill the void the Good Beer Festival will leave behind this fall,” said Program Director Jamie Nichols. “We are working hand-in-hand with Civic Center staff to plan an enjoyable and safe evening for attendees.”
Prior to reopening in June, the Civic Center implemented new health and safety protocols, including physical distancing, entry screenings, cleaning and disinfecting, hand sanitizer stations, designated restrooms, and enhanced protocols for meal service.
Tickets for Good Beer, Good Bites will be sold by tables of four for $200, with the option to add up to two additional seats for $50 per person. Tickets are slated to go on sale Friday, Aug. 28. The event is limited to 200 attendees. For more information about this event, visit www.WicomicoCivicCenter.org.
For the latest festival updates, visit www.GoodBeerFestival.org and www.AutumnWineFestival.org.
