Bay Oaks looks to host craft beer festival
Town of Fort Myers Beach Parks & Recreation officials recently received the go ahead to pursue a fundraising idea that would benefit the Town recreational center’s teen, youth and senior programs.
Being touted as the “Fort Myers Beach Craft Beer Fest,” the proposed special event is hoping to raise nearly $12,000 in revenue if approved. Beach Town Council gave organizers its collective blessing to put together a complete proposal.
If it’s a go, the craft beer festival is slated to be held on Bay Oaks Recreational Campus on Saturday, Nov. 15. The proposed site should be in the same area that Taste of the Beach was held, around the recreational center in the shady areas of the oak trees. Live entertainment can be expected as well.
A $30 fee is being suggested for admittance into a “fenced-in” participation area. The amount of tastings to sample the beers in 4-oz sampling, souvenir cups during the 3-4 hour event has yet to be determined for that price.
Town Parks & Recreation Director Randy Norton and Bay Oaks Recreational Coordinator Kyle Karczewski, both Michigan natives, are planning the event. Karczewski, who came up with the idea, is the event coordinator.
“In Michigan, craft beer festivals are really big and really a good draw because smaller breweries are looking for exposure and want to work with the community,” said Karczewski, who has spoken to a couple of local “micro-breweries” in the area that have shown interest in committing, such as Point YBel Brewery, Fort Myers Brewing Company and Naples Beach Brewery.
“It would be a chance for island residents to check out specialty beers in the area as well as local restaurant owners to possibly get some local beers into their establishments.”
The brewing companies would be willing to donate their product to get their name out to Beach residents, businesses and visitors.
“They would like to give us just a little bit of their beer for free just to help sell some tickets,” said Karczewski. “They also want to get their product into the bars on the Beach. So, it really benefits everyone – the bar owners, the brewery owners and Bay Oaks.”
Bay Oaks officials are looking to sell roughly 400 tickets, so that everyone who does have a ticket gets their share. Product can be expected to run out.
“There will be limited sales,” said Karczewski.
The festival is being promoted as an adult event, only people age 21 and over will be allowed in.
“It’s almost like Taste of the Beach, but with beer,” said Norton. “This is almost reverse, where you go around sampling all the beers and you have food on the outside. It will be run much like Taste of the Beach.”
The festival is anticipating to have Beach restaurants set up as food vendors. Some key local restaurants, who can provide food pairings with certain flavor beer, are hoping to come on board, set up and a table and serve their product.
“It’s all about beer parings, so I want to make sure we have food that compares well with it,” said Karczewski.
Norton said the event is trying to reach the age 21 to age 60 demographic, an age range that is not usually reached.
“We really don’t offer a lot for that middle group,” he said.
Red, White and Brew Beverage has pledged to partner with the Town parks department.
“That’s who helped me get started. I contacted them with the idea and it took off,” Karczewski said. “They have really helped out.”
Council appears to be on board with the festival. FMB Mayor Anita Cereceda called it a “great revenue maker” but cautioned how to market the event. Originally, the thought was to have it advanced with unlimited samplings, but Council members were leery about that concept.
“You have to be very careful about how you promote this,” she said. “The words you use in promoting this are going to be very important.”
Karczewski calls a craft beer event “respectable” and doesn’t anticipate a problem with over-drinking. Town Parks and Recreation staff will provide security that will be hopefully backed by Lee County Sheriff’s Office deputies.
“It’s not going to be one of those events where people will be drinking as much as they can. It’s sampling fine beers,” he said. “It’ll draw conversations, and people will become educated.”
A possible home brew contest is also in the works. That contest could show off in-house operations and product and possibly be the starting grounds for a new brewer.
“My idea is to have some judges taste what they have and maybe the brewery people. Something to enhance (the event),” said Karczewski. “We may have a demonstration involved as well for an educational aspect.”
Parks & Rec departments all across the country have done craft beer festival, says Norton. This is not a new approach. Council should be able to review the event as a whole come October.
“We will probably have the special permit and package together ready to go at the end of September,” said Norton.
To keep informed, go to Fort Myers Beach Craft Beer Fest Facebook page. Once approved, ticket sales will be at Bay Oaks and possibly online.
Having the craft beer event at Bay Oaks will be good for the campus’ exposure as well, especially if off-beach participants check out facilities like the pool.
“That is why I asked Kyle to come up with a special event, so that we could get additional exposure from people who don’t necessarily come to Bay Oaks and don’t know about our Town parks and rec department.” said Norton. “It’s a great opportunity from a marketing standpoint to get people on our grounds and see what we offer.”