Stefanie Moore gets a beer from the Norway Brewing Co.’s Magne Mehus at the fourth annual Great Falls Brewfest at Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston on Saturday.
LEWISTON — Simard-Payne Memorial Park was packed to the brim with locals looking to get a taste of 150 different beers, eat their way through 10 different food trucks and pet a tent full of puppies.
The fourth annual Great Falls Brewfest was one for the books. Another year of perfect weather and set the relaxed summer vibe Saturday.
Baxter Brewing Co., who puts the event on every year, was on hand with some of their own beer, plenty of water stations and a heap of volunteers to keep things running smoothly.
Local locomotive food eatery Pinky D’s did not disappoint with their cups of poutine. Picture it: cheese, gravy and fries in a portable container to eat while sipping on craft brews — and don’t forget petting the puppies.
Two thousand locals journeyed through the three tents of beer over the course of the afternoon, some donning glitter in their hair courtesy of Blush Boutique and some sporting some mean facial hair, fitting for the facial hair competition.
Michael Deschenes of Leeds said he loved the food trucks and the proximity to home.
“It’s nice to be close enough to home that if they need a taxi, they can get one home,” Deschenes said.
His favorite drink of the day was a Sam Adams Porch Rocker.
Donna Courchesne and her partner, Mike, of Leeds said she enjoyed the openness of the event.
“The people here are friendly, and you don’t have to worry about something bad happening,” she said. “Everyone working the stands is really nice.”
Her favorite drinks so far were the blueberry kombucha and the Cool Beans coffee-flavored brown ale.
This was their third year at the Brewfest, and said they have been to others around the state and this is their favorite.
Marc Bureau and his wife, Tammy, of Lewiston said they enjoyed the “very relaxed atmosphere.” Their favorite drink so far was a blackberry beer.
There was also a table for local nonprofit Teens to Trails, an organization that helps support high school across the state with different programming to get kids outside.
“Baxter’s been really generous, allowing us to have a table here,” said Rebecca Thomas from Teens to Trails. “They were running the non-alcoholic beverage tent, which was free but with a suggested donation of a $1.
“All donations go right to program,” Thomas said.
She said they provide free tools and resources to local outing clubs, and they provide small financial assistance for outdoor camping and hiking trip to places like Acadia National Park.
If beer isn’t your thing, there were still plenty of other options at the Brewfest.
Urban Sugar, Locally Sauced burritos, and Fahrenheit 225 were just a few of the grub options, and live music from The Van Burens and The Toasters kept a cool vibe to the festival.
Cornhole, disc golf and the facial hair tournament had people’s attention, but — just like last year — not many could resist the pull of the puppy tent.
Mia Poliquin-Pross and Maija Comeau enjoy a beverage and listen to The Toasters, a New York City ska band, at the fourth annual Great Falls Brewfest at Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston on Saturday.
Craig Keough from the Greater Hartford Beard and Moustache Club traveled to the fourth annual Great Falls Brewfest on Saturday at Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston for the full beard and styled moustache competition. Keough said it takes him a full hour to style his moustache, which involves flat ironing, gel and molding it around a can in order to shape it.
Amber Hayden of Auburn is left up in the air by her friend, Dorinne Grant, on a ride at the fourth annual Great Falls Brewfest on Saturday at Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston.
Jay Michaud and Amy Crawford play a game of beer pong at the fourth annual Great Falls Brewfest at Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston on Saturday.
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