Submitted by Gateway Rotary
Exit 88 is a classic and modern rock band based in the South Puget Sound area of Washington and has been a part of the Brats, Brews & Bands Festival for a long time. Exit 88 has brought a great show for the locals, helping fundraise as part of their musical efforts. Rock out with Exit 88 at the Brats, Brews & Bands Festival in Lacey September 11, 2021.
Expect this event for adults 21 and over to sell out. Tickets are $25 in advance with 5 drink tastes, and $30 at the door. From 2017 to 2019, the BBB doubled in attendance annually from 800 to over 3,200 attendees. Buying tickets in advance guarantees you through the door, especially with COVID-19 crowd restrictions.
The Brats, Brews & Bands Festival is a one-day, 100% volunteer-operated event. Hosted by the largest rotary membership in the area, Gateway Rotary, the event raises thousands of dollars annually for local children’s charities in the area. Rotary International has over 1 million members, and has been helping provide humanitarian service and advancing goodwill globally as a non-political, non-religious organization since 1905.
“I love our greeters” shares Len Faucher, past Gateway president & BBB Chair. “Amanda Vey, Nate Peters and several others have owned those positions over the years. They set the tone and pump up the crowd.”
“Many of the local nonprofit organizations were badly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic,” says Nathan Peters, Gateway vice president & BBB chair. “Your support by attending the Brats, Brews & Bands Festival will allow Gateway Rotary Club to provide greater support in their time of need.”
It features over 50 types of craft beers, ciders and Washington wines, and a lot of great food, including brats and tacos. It is the end of the summer party before we head into the fall.
“It is such a fun event that brings our community together on one day to enjoy food, beer, cider, wine and music. It’s like a great big party!” says Gateway President Janine Ezzell.
Gateway Rotary Member Spotlight
Meet Mike Bell. Mike is an active club volunteer with the Gateway Rotary Club of Thurston County. Mike joined the Gateway club in November 2013 and is one of the club’s most consistent volunteers. He has helped with numerous small and large service projects and gives generously to the club’s fundraising activities. Mike consistently demonstrates the Rotary motto of “Service Above Self.” Our community is made better through Mike’s actions.Thank you, Mike!
What We Do In The Community: We Are Gateway
Our fundraising from the Brats Brews Bands Festival creates impact in our community. Gateway Rotary is a Pleasant Glade Elementary (PGE) Partner in Elementary. In March 2020, six Gateway Rotarians participated in a reading program, reading aloud to PGE students during the Read Across America Day.
Founded in 2011, Gateway Rotary meets in an Irish Pub (O’Blarney’s) every Wednesday at 7 a.m. with a membership of 114 and growing. We provide a high-energy experience to those who want to help their community, roll up their sleeves and engage in a setting that welcomes a great group of active people in our area.
New Gateway member Sylvia Davenport said that she witnesses the kindness through happy moments when the club is together at meetings. “I’ve always encountered club members smiling, ready to bring a great energy to the room,” she says. “It’s a group that I value being a part of.”