11th Annual Madison County Hop Fest September 16, 2006

This year, Madison County celebrates its 200th Birthday. In honor of the celebration, the theme of the Madison County Historical Society's 11th Annual Madison County Hop Fest on September 16, 2006 is preserving hop kilns and raising awareness about the hop industry then and now.
The Hop Fest occurs on the grounds of the Madison County Historical Society at 435 Main Street in Oneida. The morning activities begin at 11 am with diverse hop related presentations and demonstrations ranging from agriculture, history, culture, brewing demonstrations, displays of hop growing regions and tools, displays of brewing memorabilia, and brew suppliers. The afternoon events from 2 p.m.- 5:00 p.m. offer musical entertainment by Quigsy and the Bird and samplings from 25 microbreweries. Throughout the day visitors can: view the historical society’s exhibit, Bitter Sweet: Hop Culture in Central New York; watch the video When Hop Was King; stroll through our gift shop for hop products; visit with the area’s historical organizations, brew suppliers, and beer memorabilia collectors; and enjoy food provided by R & R Concessions.

The Hop Fest opens at 11:00 a.m. with the hop culture presentations scheduled from 11:00 a.m.- 2:30 p.m. The afternoon activities commence with the crowning of the Madison County Hop Queen followed by the opening of the brew tent from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Quigsy and the Bird will take the stage from 2 p.m.- 4:30 p.m.

Tickets for brew sampling are $20.00 advance and $25.00 at the door. Brew participants receive a free souvenir tasting glass. There is no charge to attend the programs. Come visit Madison County on September 16 to learn about hops and its influence on the area’s past and present. A paired brew dinner hosted by the Colgate Inn will be held on Saturday the 16th, call 315-824-2300 for reservations. And stay in the area for the inaugural guided Hop Heritage Trail Tour on hop kilns in Madison County on Sunday, September 17. Funding for this trail is made possible through a grant from the Central New York Community Foundation. Speakers from the Madison County Hop Fest and members of the Madison County Architecture and Preservation Team will lead a coach tour of hop kilns, as well as other sites associated with the important hop industry of the 19th century. For more information about the 11th Annual Madison County Hop Fest, please contact the Madison County Historical Society, 435 Main Street, Oneida, NY 13421, 315. 363.4136, 315.361.9735, email [email protected], or visit our website at www.mchs1900.org. Advance Tickets are available at the Madison County Historical Society and Arnie’s Produce/Kraig’s Kegs in Sherrill, Middle Ages Brewing Company, Clark’s Ale House, and Madison County Tourism.

Official Website: http://www.mchs1900.org