(Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo) Kenzie Williamsen, Iron Mountain Downtown Development Authority event coordinator, prepares for the upcoming Brew Fest, set for noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 8. The event will feature several varieties of craft brews and other beverages for sampling, plus music and camaraderie.

IRON MOUNTAIN — The Iron Mountain Downtown Development Authority kicks off its summer festival season on Saturday, June 8, with an afternoon of laid-back tunes and the finest brews from across Michigan and Wisconsin.

The 2024 Brew Fest takes place from noon to 5 p.m. at the downtown stage on the corner of Iron Mountain and Hughitt Street in Iron Mountain.

“This is the sixth year of Brew Fest and it’s been changing since the start — many new things are happening,” DDA Event Coordinator Kenzie Williamsen said. “We want to bring the best event we can.”

Attendees are to note the change in time of the annual event.”We want it to be a relaxed afternoon of socializing and listening to mellow music while tasting samples of craft beverages,” she said.

This year’s event, presented by Bacco Construction Co., hosts 13 vendors offering more than 60 varieties of beer, mead, cider, seltzers, wine, liquors and non-alcohol beverages.

Brewers taking part include Alpha Michigan Brewing Co., Shorts Brewing Co., Tripelroot Brewery, 51st State Brewing, Bell’s Brewery, Ore Dock Brewing Co., Barrel & Beam, Upperhand Brewery, Starcut Ciders, Iron Fish Distillery, and Fox River Brewing Co.

Lo Duca Bros. wine and Oddfellows has joined the DDA for the festivities as well.

Michael Lo Duca, an annual Italian Fest vendor, will have multiple wines to try.

“We have also partnered with our downtown Oddfellows Restaurant to provide non-alcoholic sampling options,” said Williamsen, adding attendees will be able to buy cans of NA beer as well as sampler tokens.

“We’re super-excited to bring some quality non-alcoholic options to Brew Fest this year,” said Oddfellows owner and general manager Jesse Land. “We plan to bring four different NA beers from Untitled Arts, as well as a non-alcoholic sparkling riesling and possibly other non-alcoholic beverages.”

Craft beverage enthusiasts will receive tokens for each vendor station, where they can talk to representatives that will provide information about the options they have available.

“Our volunteers will be pouring those samples you would like to try,” she said.

What Williamsen likes about Iron Mountain’s Brew Fest is it’s not an all-you-can-drink event — the purpose is to experience different crafts, she explained.

“The sampler glasses are 4-ounce pours,” she said.

Flagship Romance of Kentucky will do four sets of music during the afternoon. The Tourism Association of the Dickinson County Area is the music sponsor.

“Flagship Romance brings a mellow, laid-back vibe with them,” she said. “We are hoping people just want to stay and enjoy their time.”

The married duo got a good reception playing at last year’s Out to Lunch.

“They will actually be coming for two events for us,” Williamsen said. “They will be opening Out to Lunch on Thursday, June 6 and playing that evening in Norway Music in the Park, then returning for Brew Fest.”

The Curious Pig food truck returns to provide lunch and will theme the menu around what tastes well with beer.

In addition to corn hole, the DDA will provide table games that include playing cards, cribbage and Jenga.

“This is an exclusive event, with a limit of 500 people,” Williamsen said. “Part of that is to bring more things to do than other festivals.”

Festival-goers can expect to see more pub tables throughout the grounds.

The DDA will have Brew Fest T-shirts for sale along with raffle tickets, with at least 10 prizes to give away. True North Outpost is a raffle sponsor and has donated items for every basket.

Williamsen noted the DDA has made a lot of partnerships this year, including the Iron Hill Cycling Team, a non-profit organization hosting its second Enduro taking place at Pine Mountain Resort and Millie Hill.

Enduro racers can start their morning with the race and receive a discount to Brew Fest entry.

Sandstone Terrace, 220 Iron Mountain St., will continue the evening with music by Nashville country artist Jordan Blanchard from 6 to 9 p.m. at the rooftop venue. That event has a $5 cover charge, though all Enduro racers will be admitted free.

“The Terrace is so excited to add more event support such as the Enduro, as well as working with Kenzie and the DDA all summer to ensure there is always fun to be had downtown,” said Brandy Wentz, manager of Sandstone Terrace.

The DDA has also teamed up with the new Marriott TownePlace Suites downtown hotel to provide rooms for Brew Fest. Attendees will get a discount if rooms are booked through the DDA website.

They still need volunteers to make the event a success. Anyone 21 and older can sign up on the DDA website.

The DDA will provide all volunteers with free admission, $5 towards food, five tokens and a sampler glass.

“We try to thank you for being there,” Williamsen said.

Tickets for Iron Mountain DDA Brew Fest are $40, which includes a complimentary Brew Fest sampler glass and 14 tasting tokens. Admission for designated drivers is $10, plus access to non-alcoholic beverages.

All Brew Fest attendees must be 21 or older and provide valid identification to enter the grounds.

Event sponsors include Bacco Construction Co., Northern Interstate Bank, True North Outpost, the Tourism Association of the Dickinson County Area, Solberg’s Greenleaf Bar & Grill, Spiro’s, 51st State Brewing Co., 41 Lumber and Sandstone Terrace.

“We’re grateful for the support of our sponsors, vendors, volunteers and partners who make Brew Fest and everything happening June 8 possible,” Williamsen said. “Everyone’s dedication and enthusiasm to contribute to the success of this area is so rewarding to see.”

For more information about Brew Fest or to purchase tickets, sign up to volunteer or book a hotel stay, go to https://downtownironmountain.com/brew-fest.

Terri Castelaz can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 241, or tcastelaz@ironmountaindailynews.com.