In Verona, a celebration with hops, barley and everything related to plants is planned to support the district’s garden club.
The group responsible for the hanging baskets and planters across the small town partnered with local breweries for a fundraising weekend called Botany & Booze.
It is scheduled for May 22-23, 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM along the 700 block of East Railroad Avenue.
“We wanted to do something that felt a little different,” said Kimberly Roller, vice president of the club. “We wanted to try to help the garden club and also the community. I think it’s nice for everyone to get out there, have a good time and have a good afternoon. “
The garden club had to cancel several fundraising campaigns last year and this year due to the pandemic.
The organizers hope that the upcoming celebration will boost other projects.
“Ordinarily we would have a bingo or spaghetti dinner and neither was feasible,” she said. “We’ve got more people branching out and looking for new community gardens that everyone can enjoy. With such fundraising campaigns, we can finance these additional beautification efforts.
In addition to several adult beverage manufacturers, there are plant sales, 50/50 and basket raffles, live entertainment, activities for children and around 20 vendors.
The event is open to all ages and admission is free. However, those aged 21 and over can purchase tickets for a 4-ounce beer or mixed drink tasting or 2-ounce shot of liquor from any of the breweries.
Inner Groove Brewing will have a front row seat for the festivities taking place along the avenue.
Its owners like Kelly Melle helped coordinate the event. She was able to connect to various food trucks and other distilleries.
“It will be the first festival that we have been able to do since Covid,” said Melle. “I think it’s important. It is best to do it for the garden club because that is what makes Verona so beautiful. It is important to us.
“If you want to have a festival, you can also bring beer with you … The interest was so great that people who like plants and nature and like to drink beer, distilled drinks and mead (together). It just turned into a heavier weight than we would have thought. “
East Railroad Avenue will be closed between South Avenue and Center Avenue during the event.
Participants should maintain social distance whenever possible and must wear masks when not eating or drinking.
Streets on the Fly and Mommalicious Food Trucks will be available on May 22nd.
Revival Chili and Pub Chip Shop bring their food trucks on May 23rd.
So much going on during this amazing event.
ALL AGES ARE WELCOME. Must be 21 years or older to buy alcohol.
Tickets not …
Posted by Garden Club of Verona on Saturday 1st May 2021
Participating breweries include Inner Groove Brewing, Stonewall Cider House and Meadery, Butler Brew Works, and 4Four6 Distillery.
Couch Brewery and Old Thunder Brewing Co. plan to attend May 22nd.
Brew Dog Pittsburgh and East End Brewing Co. are scheduled for May 23rd.
Breweries will also have postage stamps for Pittsburgh Brewers Guild Beer Passes. The more stamps there are on the pass, the better the participants can get the prizes.
Passes are $ 10 and are available at the event.
Botany & Booze’s first day is the same day for the Oakmont Chamber of Commerce crawling Arts & Libations. The crawl takes place on Allegheny River Boulevard in Oakmont from May 22nd at 2pm.
Adults can buy a $ 10 ticket, get a wristband, and stroll the boulevard in support of local businesses.
There will be art exhibits, live music, demonstrations, performances, and libations.
Melle and Roller said they plan to attend this event once theirs closes for the day.
“I would meet both of them and go ahead and see more dealers,” Melle said. “We’re close enough that someone who wants to make it a day can definitely make it a day.”
You can find drinks menus and further information about Botany & Booze at facebook.com/VeronaGardenClub.
For more information on Arts & Libations, please visit oakmont-pa.com.
Michael DiVittorio is a contributor to Tribune Review. You can contact Michael at 412-871-2367, mdivittorio@triblive.com, or on Twitter.
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