09/06/2016
White Mountains Brewers' Festival to benefit Skatepark of Plymouth
Event takes place on Sept. 17
By BOB MARTIN
[email protected]
PLYMOUTH — The third and final phase of the Skatepark of Plymouth should be completed by spring 2017. With the project expected to cost between $35,000 and $40,000, there is plenty of fundraising to do.
On Saturday, Sept. 17, the White Mountains Brewers’ Festival will take place at Doc Cote Field, and Skatepark of Plymouth will be receiving 100 percent of the proceeds taken in from the event, according to Executive Director Michael Currier.
The festival is in its second year, and will involve several local breweries from the Granite State who will be serving samples. These include Great Rhythm Brewing Company, White Mountain Brewing Company, Sublime Brewing Company, Dirigo Brewing Company, Narraganset, Samuel Adams, Moat Mountain, Tuckerman Brewing Company, Squam Brewing, The Traveler Beer Co., Woodstock Brewery and Angry Orchard.
There will also be a pre-tasting prior to the event, plenty of live music, a raffle of local gifts and a silent auction.
For $40, guests can be a part of the event from noon to 4 p.m. For this price, the first hour is a pre-tasting, which includes samples from the local brewers. It also includes a VIP parking pass, a tasting glass and a food voucher.
A regular event ticket, which goes from 1 to 4 p.m. is $35, and includes a tasting glass that can be used for what is described on the website as “endless samples of beer.”
Not a drinker? Come for the fun and festivities and bring along your friends who will be sampling. Designated drivers get into the festival free of charge and they can still contribute to the construction of the skate park’s final phases.
“This is a major fundraiser for the skate park in Plymouth,” said Currier. “100 percent of the proceeds go to the skate park, so we can get going on phase three.”
Currier said the plan for phase three is to build a halfpipe with a horseshoe back next to the bowl in the park. There is also a 4,000-square-foot pad that he plans to add features to. On the north end of the park, there will be several smaller quarter-pipers, which he said will be a good area for people learning how to skateboard.
“Those things will finish the skate park,” said Currier.
In 2009, the Skatepark of Plymouth, Ltd. Started a mission to build a skate park, and after two years of fundraising, a bowl was built by Who Skates, Inc. of Kennebunkport, Maine. Extensive fundraising efforts took place over the next four years for additions and upgrades. By April 2016, the Skatepark of Plymouth, Ltd. paid off its construction lean, and had $12,000 to add features known as phase two. This included a 4,000-square-foot pad to expand the skateable area and other features added on.
Currier explained that the skate park was deeded to the town of Plymouth. Common Man Founder Alex Ray originally owned the property, and he subdivided out a 3.4-acre area and gifted it to the town. Currier said they are now working to finish up the park. He said ongoing maintenance will occur, and there will be some finishing touches. The BMX park will also be a BMX pump track.
Currier said there was some money already saved that will go toward the construction, but he said the White Mountain Brewers’ Festival and the upcoming Skatepark of Plymouth Invitational Golf Tournament are the major drivers of the funds. The golf tournament takes place on Sept. 25 at White Mountain Country Club, with a shotgun start at 9 a.m. and a cost of $75 per golfer, which includes a meal and green fee.
Last year’s inaugural White Mountains Brewers’ Festival was a sell out with more than 450 attendees. More than 1,000 people are expected for this event in what is a larger venue.
To purchase tickets or for more information including directions to the site, log onto http://www.whitemountainsbrewersfestival.com/.
Join us for the 2nd Annual White Mountains Brewer's Festival! Enjoy local New Hampshire beer, music, friends and fun! Located at Doc Cote's Field, Plymouth, NH
