ALLENTOWN, Pa. — It will be a toast to local talent.
The organizers of Allentown Beer Fest and Art Jam mural festival have teamed up to bring a full day of beer sampling, music and unveiling of 18 murals on Saturday, Sept. 7.
The beer festival, now in its seventh year, will be 1-5 p.m. in Allentown's Hamilton Street district.
On tap will be 60 breweries slated to convene Biergarten-style on the 700 and 800 blocks of Hamilton.
Tickets are $50 and purchase is restricted to people aged 21 and older; government-issued IDs will be checked.
A ticket is not needed to attend the Allentown Beer Fest or Art Jam to enjoy the music and food, but you can't sample beers without one.
A ticket comes with a 3.5 oz. tasting glass for as many beer samples as you like (safely, organizers urge) during the event.
The boozy celebration is organized by the Downtown Allentown Business Alliance and City of Allentown.
Visitors can try seasonal selections from local breweries such as Brü Daddy's Brewing Company (732 Hamilton St.), Fegley's Brew Works (812 W. Hamilton St.) and Saucon Creek Brewery in Kutztown.
Joining them will be 1911 Hard Cider from Lafayette, New York; 21 Amendment of San Leandro, California; Ace Cider of Sebastopol, California; and Anderson Valley Brewing Company of Boonville California.
A handful of Keystone State breweries also will be on hand, including Iron City of Pittsburgh; Levante Brewing of West Chester, Chester County; Holla Spirits of York, York County; Logyard Brewing of Kane, Erie County; Sly Fox of Pottstown, Montgomery County; Southern Tier of Pittsburgh; and Two Robbers of Philadelphia.
During the festivities, La Cocina del Abuelo, Kou Kitchen, Grumpy's BBQ and Oh Sugar Ice Cream will be on hand to offer something to nosh on.
In addition, local bands Cunningham & Associates and The Audio Files will perform throughout the afternoon.
More with murals
You'll be able to walk off that beer buzz from 4 to 7 p.m. at a new art-party experience directly across from the new Archer Music Hall, 935-939 Hamilton St.
Thirteen international and five local mural artists will come together to unveil 4,000 square feet of 18 finished murals on the new art path.
The muralists include Miss Birdy of Columbus, Ohio; Pau from Cologne, Germany; Boogierez of Poughkeepsie, New York; Souls of Bronx, New York; Lena Mac of Boston, Massachusetts(; Wingchow from Richmond, Virginia; and New York City artists Outer Source and Jappy.
Allentown-based muralists Matt Halm and Hector Castro, both of whom have done previous mural work around the Lehigh Valley, also are part of the project
The two were behind a giant mural of a bright and bold bison that spreads over seven floors on the outside of the Cityplace apartment building.
Rigo Peralta, also of Allentown, has completed a piece for the new art path (other muralists will begin set up on Wednesday, Sept. 4) and will, along with other artists, take part in the unveiling Saturday.
The group will be on site to speak about their creative vision, techniques and to answer questions.
“With this Art Jam event, we’re not just painting walls, we’re creating a dialogue among artists and the community.”Director for the Allentown Mural Arts Jane Heft
Art Jam is organized by City Center Group, Allentown Mural Arts and Dripped On Productions and was created to foster community engagement and promote cultural exchange.
There is no admission cost.
The new art path was created to serve as a canvas for diverse artistic expression in the city.
“With this Art Jam event, we’re not just painting walls, we’re creating a dialogue among artists and the community,” Director for the Allentown Mural Arts Jane Heft said.
“We believe ‘the path’ will become a source of inspiration and a beautiful representation of our city’s artistic spirit.”
