Beer festivals and outdoor events are in full swing. Some of you will be making the trip down to Paso Robles for the Firestone Invitational this weekend, while some may make the shorter drive to Napa for BottleRock. Those of you looking to stay closer to home this weekend need not fret. The Rohnert Park Craft Beer Fest will take place between 1pm and 5pm this Saturday, May 30th at the SOMO Event Center located at 1100 Valley Dr. in Rohnert Park.

20+ breweries will be participating in this event. Local food vendors will provide tasty bites and ‘Royal Jelly Jive’ will provide the music. The price of admission is $30 and includes ten food and/or beer tastings and a 5 oz. souvenir glass. Those of you looking to upgrade may pay $50 to receive a 16 oz. souvenir glass for larger pours.

All of the proceeds from this event will go to helping at risk youth. The Rotary Club of Rohnert Park-Cotati will use the money to fund the Backpack Program, which helps feed kids at three local elementary schools. Each Friday, backpacks are filled and sent home with the participating child. “Rotary’s Mission is to send food home for the weekend to any elementary school child who needs it,” is stated on the official Rotary RPC’s Backpack Food Program Facebook page. For more details about the Rotary Club, the Back Pack Program, and to purchase tickets click here.

-Peter Lopez Jr.