The smell of beer and food and the sound of music filled the air at the 17th annual Festival of Beers at Stramler Park on April 25.
All the money raised went back into the community for children’s charities. The Active 20/30 Club International started back in 1922, according to their Web site. Two young men, in two widely separated communities of the United States, saw the need for a service club for young men.
“The local Active 20-30 Club of Bakersfield was founded in 1928. Our chapter is geared toward men in their 20s and 30s. The club’s objective is to serve the community while building lasting relationships and rendering service to youth,” said Nicky Stobaugh, who is co-chair of the 20/30 Club.
The Festival of Beers has been providing a charitable event for 17 years. The Fire House Restaurant was the presenting sponsor. “One-hundred percent of our proceeds do go to charity,” Stobaugh said. “We are just a bunch of guys, young professionals that came together and put this event on. We don’t make any money on this; it is just our way of giving back to the community.”
Two-hundred plus vendors gave their beer, wine or food away, and each of them had a charity that the money was going to.
There were more than 3,000 people at the event listening to music, drinking beverages and eating food. There was even a VIP area for people who paid extra money for wristbands who got all the beer, wine and food they wanted for free.
“I was the president of the 20/30 Club back in 1968, and I am probably the oldest bastard here. I am a Bakersfield College graduate, too: class of ’58,” said Jim Kelley. “I was a member of this club for 12 years, and they do wonders for the community.”
The Active 20/30 Club also has the Child Spree and Christmas Experience for children of the community. There were over $50,000 raised in sponsorship with $4,000 from Trout’s and AWI and $8,000 from the presenting sponsor.
The bands that played were Dub Seed, Velorio and The After Party. There was also a DJ by Sound Choice.
There was also plenty of food like sandwiches, salads and pizza to eat provided by Champs Barbeque, BJ’s and Cataldo’s Pizzeria. Advanced Beverage sponsored free cab rides.