PORT TOWNSEND — The eighth annual three-day Strange Brewfest, which begins today, will provide a safe place for people to blow off some winter steam, organizers said.

“This is a great event,” said Nina Law, one of the organizers. “It brings the community together and also gives the brewers a chance to be creative.”

Law has been an organizer of the iconic party featuring boutique brews since the first Strange Brewfest at the Water Street Brewery and Ale House in Port Townsend in 2005.

American Legion Post

In 2010, she and co-owner Mark Burr closed the bar, and American Legion Post Cmdr. Joe Carey approached them about holding the January 2011 Brewfest at the post hall at 209 Monroe St.

Carey estimated about 1,200 people participated that year. The event brought in $7,500 for the American Legion’s building repairs.

This year, the Brewfest will feature 26 beers and four ciders, all from regional microbreweries — none of which will be in the same place at the same time again, Law said.

For $25 for the entire weekend, each participant will get an 8-ounce souvenir tasting glass and four sample tokens. Additional tokens are $1.50 each.

This is more value than getting four $6 beers, since attendees are treated to three days of musical entertainment and a party of the first order, Carey said.

Musical schedule

Music begins at 7 p.m. today, with two local bands, LoWire and the Better Half, performing.

Saturday’s schedule includes three performers: Eldridge Gravy & the Court Supreme at 3 p.m., Lucky Brown and the Bucks at 6:30 p.m., and the Polyrhythmics at 9 p.m.

On Sunday, Tapwater performs at 2 p.m.

Various food options will be available outside the Legion Hall.

Additionally, a chain saw carving demonstration will take place during daylight hours Saturday and Sunday, featuring nationally known artist Pat McVay of Whidbey Island.

Also planned are fire dancing, belly dancing, juggling, hula hooping and stilt walking, organizers say on the website at www.strangebrewfestpt.com.

Carey said ticket sales have been very good so far, with more than 360 people purchasing advance tickets.

If you haven’t bought advance tickets by now, you’ll have to get them at the door. Advance sales ended Wednesday.

Tickets are available at the door, cash only, at the American Legion Hall at Water and Monroe streets.

Carey projected that 700 or 800 people would partake in the festivities.

Proceeds benefit the American Legion.

Carey is happy about the timing of the event with regard to the weather.

“If we had scheduled this for last week during the snowstorm, we would have lost everything,” he said.

No dress code, just advice

There is no dress code, but Carey has some sartorial advice.

“People should dress in layers,” he said.

“It’s cold outside, but inside, it can get really hot when it gets crowded and people start moving around.”

Since last year’s event, restrooms have been constructed in the winter shelter in the Legion’s basement — where people can get a free hot meal and a warm place to sleep — so shelter guests aren’t forced to share facilities with the participants.

“It’s hard when you are down on your luck and there are people upstairs in a party mood,” Carey said. “But we are going to do what we did last year: buy $200 worth of pizza for the people in the shelter on Sunday.”

Law said that while lots of people come out for the event and drink quantities of beer, the crowds are generally well-behaved.

“The security at the Legion is really great,” she said. “The people who come out know their limit, and they do a lot of walking around town instead of driving.”

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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.