August may be nearing its end. The warm sunny days may be getting shorter. Kids may be gearing up for school. But worry not! Summer isn’t over until it’s over. And what’s the best way to say farewell? The Brats, Brews and Bands Festival (BBB) in Lacey of course!
This year’s event is scheduled for September 8, 2018 from 1:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at The Hub in Lacey. Tickets can be purchased in advance on the Brats, Brews and Bands website or the day of at the front gates for only $10. Anyone 21 and older is invited to attend.
Gateway Rotary, the event organizers, have a series of questions they ask themselves when embarking on any philanthropic mission. Possibly the most important one being, “Is it fun?” Anyone who has attended Brats, Brews and Bands in the past knows the answer is a resounding YES, YES, YES!
“As always, the theme of Gateway Rotary is FUN and that is exactly what people can expect to find on September 8th at the Hub in Lacey,” says Len Faucher, Gateway Rotary’s current president elect and lead planner for Brats, Brews and Bands 2018.
This year, Len and his team have focused on bringing back crowd favorites, like an extensive offering of beers, while also adding in some new things to look forward to, like Washington wines, a wider selection of ciders and more bands. For Gateway Rotary, it’s all about finding new ways to have a good time!
“Brats, Brews and Bands 2018 features the addition of a third, smaller stage for solo shows,” Len shares. “Guests can also enter into a competition to win an autographed football, play games of corn hole and just relax with friends. We’ll be serving porters, lagers, pilsners and of course IPA’s. And when you get hungry, Ricardo’s will be ready with the finest brat selections, creative salads, pulled pork sandwiches and gourmet popcorn.”
Between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m., guests will be immersed in music played by the best local bands. This year’s line-up will include a mix of rock, country and modern music. Here are just some of the highlights of this year’s festival:
Mouth-Watering Sustenance
Provided by Ricardo’s at the Hub
- The Terminator Brat – a grilled brat on a pretzel bun topped with cheddar cheese, sourless kraut and grilled onions
- The Ricardo – a grilled hot dog on a fresh roll topped with caramelized onions and Rickey’s whipped cream cheese
- Pulled Pork Caesar Salad
- Yummy Sides – fancy baked beans, German pretzels and gourmet popcorn
Ricardo’s will be serving up the finest brats as well as creative salads, pulled pork sandwiches and gourmet popcorn. Photo courtesy: Gateway Rotary’s Brats, Brews and Bands Festival
For a complete menu, click here.
Musicians That Will Move You
- Daze Pazt – classic rock, country, alternative
- Exit 88 – classic, modern rock
- The Wanderin’ Kind – rock and roll
- Cody Raymond – neo soul, funk pop
For a complete list of scheduled musicians click here.
Top-Notch Beverages
- Fish Tale Organic India Pale Ale
- Quilter’s Irish Death by Iron Horse Brewery
- Leavenworth Biers’ Whistling Pig Hefeweizen
- Dick Danger Ale by Dick’s Brewing Company
For a complete list of featured beers click here.
At Brats, Brews and Bands you’re always guaranteed an array of savory eats, a line-up of not-to-be-missed performances and a selection of only the highest quality craft beers. What you may not know is that your attendance and contributions to the event also support the community in some pretty amazing ways. Gateway Rotary passes on each year’s proceeds to local charitable organizations. Previous recipients have included Homeless Backpacks, The Boys and Girls Clubs of Thurston County and Rebuilding Together Thurston County.
“What makes this event so fun,” Len says, “is watching our key community leaders participating in the day’s events, taking tickets, cooking brats, even pouring beer. There are even elected officials to spot among the club in their BBB shirts and BBB aprons. Brats, Brews and Bands is the premier end of summer event and its success is made possible because of our many corporate and personal sponsors. We really want to encourage everyone to spread the word, follow us on our Facebook page, like our event, support the businesses that have made Brats, Brews and Bands possible and bring all your friends because when you attend the community benefits in a really big way.”
Photo courtesy: Gateway Rotary’s Brats, Brews and Bands Festival
This year’s Brats, Brews and Bands Festival also marks the six-year anniversary of Gateway Rotary. Gateway Rotary Club is one of the fastest growing clubs in Thurston County and is open to any who wants to join. Everything they do is geared towards honoring their mission to bring businesses and professional leaders together to build goodwill, promote peace, encourage high ethical standards and provide humanitarian services. In other words, they work to make our community and world better tomorrow that it is today. It doesn’t get much more rewarding than that.
September 8 is fast approaching! Find out more and purchases tickets for this year’s event by visiting the Brats, Brews and Bands website.
