COVID-19 shut down the Rotary Club of Hilo’s annual in-person, 1,200+ person event last year. This year, not even a world-wide pandemic will stop the Hilo Brewfest.
This year’s virtual Brewfest will be on Saturday, June 26. The event will feature an online concert and a box that can be purchased for $55 containing an assortment of either beers or hard ciders, snacks, a Brewfest mug and restaurant discount card. Those wishing to participate will need to buy a box online at hilobrewfest.com by June 16 and then pick up the box on June 18 or 19.
“This year we had to think ‘inside the box,’” said Anita Tatum of the Brewfest committee. “We’ll be packing up ‘Brewfest-in-a-Box’ options for a 2021 virtual party on June 26. We have two options: a Beer Box with 6 craft Beers or a Cider Box with a combination of 6 ciders, seltzers and maybe even kombucha. Both selections will also feature a signature Hilo Brewfest 13oz. mug, local kine snacks, and a Restaurant Passport Card with over a $100 in savings,” said Tatum.
“And don’t forget the private link to the Brewfest Virtual Concert airing on June 26 at 2 p.m.,” said Mary Espejo, committee member. “We’ll start the festivities with Hawaiian music by Komakakino, then we’ll slam the beats with Casey808 and Bruddah Willz and round off the afternoon with the ever-popular Brewfest band Body N Soul. You may not be at the event in-person, but we will do our BEST to bring it into your homes.”
The Hilo Brewfest, a part of the community since 2013, has been providing fun, festivities and “liquid aloha” for 7 years. The proceeds have gone to support many needs in the Hilo Community. Since the first Brewfest, the Hilo Medical Center Foundation’s Residency Program has been a primary beneficiary. The foundation has been providing training for new doctors along with encouragement to remain in the area upon graduation.
A second signature beneficiary, the Friends of the Children’s Justice Center of East Hawaii, was added in on the second year. The Friends provide critical enhancements for children of abuse and neglect right here in East Hawaii.
Drive-thru box pickups will be held at the Boys and Girls Club of the Big Island at 100 Kamakahonu St. in Hilo. Pickups will be held 4-7 p.m. Friday, June 18 and 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. Saturday, June 19.