Beer & Wine Festival
Beer & Wine Festival
Holiday Valley to host 18th annual tasting event November 12
Now in its 18th year, Holiday Valley’s Beer and Wine Festival is the perfect way to celebrate the transition from warm-weather festivities to cold-weather adventures. On Saturday, November 12, over 30 breweries, cideries, distilleries and wineries will be set up in Holiday Valley’s main lodge to offer new and unique flavors, as well as seasonal favorites. Stay for the afternoon or stay for the whole weekend - no matter what, this is an event you won’t want to miss!
Dash Hegeman, director of marketing at Holiday Valley, is looking forward to a great event that allows guests to maximize their experience through two sessions. “Over the past couple of years, we’ve adjusted the format of the event so that now there are two sessions in order to allow guests to have more space in the lodge,” he explained. “Now, instead of one mass gathering, there is an afternoon session from 1:00-4:00pm and an early evening session from 5:00-8:00pm.” For guests interested in making this a weekend-long event, Holiday Valley offers lodging packages at the Inn at Holiday Valley, the Tamarack Club and Holiday Valley Rental Properties for Saturday night or Friday and Saturday night (limited to guests 21 and older).
While participants are continuing to sign up, Hegeman is pleased to share the following list of those who are confirmed for this year’s event: Belt Line Brewery, Big Ditch Brewing, Bold Rock Cidery, Brazen Brewing Company, Britesmith Brewing, Buffalo Brew Pub, Clarksburg Cider, Community Beer Works, East Aurora Brewery, Eli Fish Brewing, Ellicottville Brewing Co., Empire Brewing, Founders Brewing Co., Flying Bison Brewing, Hamburg Brewing, Labatt, Pressure Drop Brewing, Resurgence Brewing, Rohrbach Brewing Company, Saranac, Singlecut, Sixpoint Brewery, Southern Tier Brewing, Steelbound Brewery & Distillery, Victory Brewing, Voodoo Brewing Company, Windy Brew, 12 Gates Brewing, 1911 Established Hard Cider, and 42 North Brewing. This list includes many local favorites, as well as companies from across New York state.
As guests enjoy sampling a variety of beverages from new and favorite businesses, they can enjoy live entertainment throughout the event. On the main floor, guests will hear the music of Western New York-based band Sticktights. The fun continues on the top floor of the lodge, where Utica native Tim Britt will be performing, as well as on the ground floor, where the Jeremy Keyes Band will be delivering their Chicago-style blues!
Hegeman is no stranger to the Beer and Wine Festival, though this is his first year in his new role as marketing director at Holiday Valley. “I’m excited to see all the hard work that is taking place to prepare for this event to come to fruition,” he shared. “Between the Holiday Valley team, the crew at Ellicottville Brewing Co. and all of the regional distributors, a lot of prep work goes into this event in order to ensure the best possible guest experience.” Speaking of guest experience, there is no need to plan for the possibility of inclement weather, as everything will be taking place inside the main lodge, including a variety of food options provided in-house.
To Hegeman and so many others, this festival is the last “hurrah” of the warm weather season as Holiday Valley transitions from summer operators to the start of winter operations. “Weather pending, we are looking to open for the season on November 25th,” said Hegeman. “Fall Festival just came to a close and it was excellent seeing so many people here in town, so we’re hoping for many of them to come back on November 12th to continue the fun at Beer and Wine Fest.”
For tickets, visit holidayvalley.com. From now until the end of October, tickets are $60. From November 1-10, tickets will be $65, and on the day of the event, November 12, tickets will be $70.
As Holiday Valley prepares for the winter season, community members are invited to attend the Holiday Valley Job Fair on Thursday, November 10 from 4:00-6:00pm and Saturday, November 12 from 9:00-11:00am in the Tannenbaum Lodge. There are many different departments within the company and opportunities for a variety of skillsets. No one knows this better than Hegeman, who credits Holiday Valley for putting him on a career path that has been as fulfilling as it is exciting. “My first job was as a ski instructor here when I was 15 years old,” said Hegeman. “Then at 19, I began a long stint as a snowboard instructor, working a year-round job during the day but coming back to instruct at night every winter. What began as a way to get a free season pass eventually put me on a career path where I’ve been able to work in a field that I went to school for but also in an industry that I developed a deep passion for at a young age because of Holiday Valley.”
Jobs are available for those ages 16 and older. Stop by the Job Fair on either date to learn more, and be sure to ask about employee lessons and rentals, as well as family ski passes! In Hegeman’s words, “What makes Holiday Valley such a special place to work is the opportunity that this place can give people. Not only is it one of the larger employers in this area but it’s a fun place to work at and offers a variety of both seasonal and full-time opportunities.” For more information, visit holidayvalley.com/employment.