Tickets for the first-annual “Baseball and Beers” festival, scheduled for Saturday, August 22, from 4-8 p.m. at McCormick Field, will go on sale Saturday morning, June 6, at 10 a.m. at the Asheville Tourists box office as well as Ticketmaster outlets. The event is being sponsored by the Asheville Brews Cruise and Wild Wing Café, with more than 30 vendors featuring hand-crafted beers from throughout the Southeast providing their products at the ballpark.
Four bands will play during the “Baseball and Beers” festival. From 4 p.m. until 4:45 p.m., the Firecracker Jazz Band will take the stage at McCormick Field. Kellin Watson will follow, beginning at 5:05 p.m. Jar-E will play from 6:10 until 6:55 before Woody Wood and Hollywood-Red conclude the festivities, from 7:15 to 8 p.m.
Prices are $20 for a ticket and a commemorative beer mug and $35 for a ticket, commemorative beer mug and t-shirt and a light meal consisting of a sandwich, chips and a non-alcoholic drink. There will also be 100 VIP tickets sold at $40 each, which includes a complete meal in the Asheville Citizen-Times Clubhouse Suite in addition to the ticket, mug and t-shirt, and $10 designated driver tickets for those opting not to the sample the beers. Commemorative t-shirts will be on sale for $15 each. Those attending “Baseball and Beers” must be 21 years of age.
The Tourists will not play a game at McCormick Field on the day of the event, although everyone buying a festival ticket will also receive a general admission baseball ticket, good for any game (excluding July 4-5) during the 2009 season, at the time of their festival purchase.
“The response has been outstanding and we’re looking forward to hosting one of the summer’s biggest events,” said Mike Bauer, executive director of Palace Baseball. “Right after we announced we were hosting the event, Asheville and Portland, Oregon, were named the top craft-beer towns in the country. Everything appears to be dovetailing for a fun and exciting time for everyone involved.”
Ticket purchasers along with breweries and vendors wishing to participate or needing additional information should contact the Tourists front office at (828) 258-0428.