TOWN OF POMPEY – A festival tailored to fans of craft beer, music lovers and artisans is coming to Heritage Hill Brewhouse next month, event organizers announced last week.
Previously hosted by Brewery Ommegang in Cooperstown, the second annual BriteVibes Festival will take place outdoors at the “picturesque” venue in Pompey on Saturday, July 9.
Scheduled to last from noon to 9:30 p.m., it will include catering by food trucks, Heritage Hill’s farm-to-table barbecue, tastings of craft beer presented by 50-plus breweries from around the state, interactive sponsors, a lineup of nationally touring musical acts, displays of hand-crafted items, and an end-of-the-night firework display.
The festival experience will also encompass overnight camping for ticket holders and the introduction of BruBag, a lawn game combining elements of beer pong and cornhole.
“We created BriteVibes to break the mold of the traditional beer festival model,” said New York State Brewers Association Executive Director Paul Leone during the June 13 press conference.
He added the upcoming event would not have been possible without the local representatives present at the announcement and other legislators who have been supportive of the hop-growing and brewing industries.
Acknowledging during his time at the podium that farming is a “noble” profession and “not an easy one,” State Sen. John Mannion said that he and his colleagues need to be the voice for agriculture moving forward.
Set upon one of the highest geographical points in the region, Heritage Hill allows visitors to see “unforgettable” sunsets and up to nine counties, said the brewhouse’s owner, Dan Palladino.
“The success of the brewery really has blown me away,” Palladino said. “It’s really become, I hope, a place that our town members can be proud of.”
Performing live on the 300-acre, 177-year-old farm at 3149 Sweet Road the day of BriteVibes will be The Old Main, PA Line, Claudia Hoyser, Mike Powell, Evan Watson of Plan Bee Farm Brewery, and The Nude Party.
The capacity for the event is 5,000 attendees, but the organizers are hoping for 2,500 ticket sales.
More information, including details relating to camping packages and ticket prices, can be found on britevibesfestival.com.
