For millennia, beer has helped soothe the summertime blues.
This Saturday, beer will help local charities with a pair of frothy celebrations in Port Townsend and Blyn.
From 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., the Port Townsend Brewing Co. hosts the sixth annual Brewfest, a fundraiser for the Edensaw Community Cancer Foundation.
“It’s an expensive thing that can wipe a lot of people out,” said Jim “Kiwi” Ferris, head of the foundation. “We’re happy to do whatever we can do to help them get by.”
With a day full of music, food and, of course, beer, the Brewfest hopes to further boost the nonprofit’s coffers.
Since its inception in 2008, the Edensaw Community Cancer Foundation has raised $200,000 that has helped East Jefferson County residents pay cancer-related costs for bills, rent, medicine, transportation and food.
Edensaw pays the total cost of the event to ensure all the funds raised go to the foundation.
In addition to the Brewfest fundraiser, the foundation receives funding from Edensaw employees who voluntarily donate from their paychecks.
Ferris said the foundation also receives regular donations from Jefferson County residents throughout the year.
“It’s something a lot of people are affected by, and I think people really like that this does some good right here at home,” he said.
Oregon bluesman Scott Pemberton will play in the brewery’s beer garden, and In Season will cater.
Brewfest also features raffles and auctions.
To the west, beer from more than 20 breweries will be on tap at the second annual Far West Beer Fest from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 7 Cedars Casino at 270756 U.S. Highway 101 in Blyn.
The event is a fundraiser for the Hurricane Ridge Winter Sports Education Foundation.
Music will be provided by Joy in Mudville and Locos Only.
The foundation is in charge of preserving Hurricane Ridge as a recreation area for generations.
Admission to the Beer Fest is $25 at the gate, $20 in advance and includes five tasting tokens and a 5-ounce souvenir tasting glass.
Sample pours of 4 to 5 ounces cost one token each.
You must be 21 to attend, and ID is required.
Breweries on tap include 10 Barrel, 21st Amendment, Alaskan, American, Deschutes, Elysian, Fremont, Hilliards, Hood Canal, Iron Horse, Laurelwood, Mac & Jack’s, Ninkasi, No-Li, Pelican, Pike, Seven Seas, Silver City and Unibroue.
Advance tickets can be purchased at www.brownpapertickets.com.
For more information about the Edensaw Community Cancer Foundation or to apply for assistance, phone 360-344-4646 or email kiwi@edensaw.com.
For more on the Hurricane Ridge Winter Sports Education Foundation, visit www.hurricaneridge.com.
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Sequim-Dungeness Valley Editor Joe Smillie can be reached at 360-681-2390, ext. 5052, or at jsmillie@peninsuladailynews.com.
