Founders Fest ’11 – A Celebration of Beer & Music

Saturday, June 18th from 3-11pm join Founders Brewing for their biggest party of the year, celebrating their three greatest loves: their city (Grand Rapids, Michigan); their fantastic, critically acclaimed beer; and really awesome music.

Taking place in Downtown Grand Rapids. They shut down the taproom and move the party outside, closing off the streets surrounding the brewery, with a majority of the Fest’s vast expanse taking place on beautiful brick-paved Grandville Avenue. (235 Grandville Avenue SW.)

Incredible live music all day, a local artists’ row featuring the wares of some of the area’s finest artists, roving entertainers to keep you on your toes and make you laugh and/or smile, Founders merchandise as well as commemorative Founders Fest gear available for purchase, all your favorite Founders employees, thousands of the coolest people around, and undoubtedly, a LOT more.

WHO’S PLAYING?
–GALACTIC (Legendary Jazz, Brass, Funk outfit from New Orleans)
–RUBBLEBUCKET (Genre-smashing afrobeat-inspired jazz dance from Boston) Download their brand new record here!
–TERRAPIN FLYER with MELVIN SEALS of the Jerry Garcia Band (The world’s greatest Grateful Dead tribute band from Chicago)
–THE RAGBIRDS (Awesome upbeat folk and world music from Ann Arbor)
–STEPPIN’ IN IT (Fun, witty, bluegrassy creole from Lansing)
–AB! & COCONUT BROWN (Danceable, inspired, thoughtful and aware full band LIVE hip-hop from Grand Rapids)
–FBC ALL-STARS (An all-Founders-employee supergroup featuring members of Chance Jones, The Total Blam Blams, Lights at Sea, Oracle, The Nicholas James Band and probably a ton of other bands cause these dudes are awesome)
-DJ SPYDRE MURPHY (Our own resident master of wax)

WHAT IS THERE TO EAT AND DRINK? Most of your Founders Favorites will be cold and flowing, along with some killer specialties and a beer or two JUST for the event. We’ll have some limited n/a bevs, too, for you to stay hydrated. Food vendors like The Cottage Bar and The Pita House will be on site for you to get your grub on.

HOW MUCH IS THIS GOING TO COST ME AND HOW DO I GET TICKETS? Advance tickets are only $15 for the general public and $10 for 2011 Mug Club Members and are available now only through the Taproom and Company Store. Day-of tickets will be $20 for the general public and $15 for 2011 Mug Club Members. Without a doubt an incredible value. *Keep in mind, Founders Fest is strictly 21+.

I’VE NEVER BEEN THERE BEFORE; HOW DOES FOUNDERS FEST WORK?: The entrance/exit will be at the north side of the festival grounds, closest to the intersection of Cherry and Grandville. At that point, your ID will be checked to confirm that you are 21, and you will receive a stamp and a wristband. Your ticket will be taken, or you can purchase tickets at that time. Then, you’re in the Fest, where you can proceed to purchase beer tickets, then head over to the beer tent for a pint! Feel free to roam the festival grounds, check out the art, grab some grub, buy some band or Founders merch, hang out with old friends or make new ones! Then, be sure to check out the incredible live music on the enormous stage at the south end of the Festival grounds. *Keep in mind, the taproom itself will be CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC.

TICKETS
-Advanced ONLINE ticket sales have ended (there is no longer enough time left before the event to mail tickets out).
-Advanced IN PERSON tickets will be available through the end of day Friday at both our Taproom and our Company Store ($15).
-All remaining tickets will be sold at full price ($20), on Saturday, AFTER the event begins at 3pm.

You cannot purchase tickets over the phone and put them on will call. You either had to buy advanced tickets online, in person, or wait until the event begins and pay full price.
Everyone attending Founders Fest has to be at least AGE 21. No exceptions!
Current Mug Club Members may purchase ONE ticket for themselves in advance, here in person in the Taproom, or on the day of the festival AFTER it begins at 3pm.
All Ticket Sales are final. There are no refunds, exchanges, etc.

RULES
Re-entry is allowed but not guaranteed. We will allow people to re-enter only if they have a valid wristband and hand-stamp, and if our capacity allows it. Attendees assume the risk of not being able to re-enter once they leave.

The following items are not allowed:
-Pets
-Outside food and beverage (water is OK)
-Vehicles of any kind (bikes, skateboards, rollerblades, etc.)
-Illegal substances
-Bad attitudes

Collapsible camp chairs are allowed, but cannot be set up directly in front of the stage. Violators are subject to removal from the event without refund.

MUSIC SCHEDULE
3:00pm DJ SPYDRE MURPHY (and in between sets)
3:30pm A.B! & COCONUT BROWN
4:15pm STEPPIN’ IN IT
5:15pm FBC ALL-STARS
6:15pm THE RAGBIRDS
7:15pm TERRAPIN FLYER with MELVIN SEALS
8:15pm RUBBLEBUCKET
9:30pm GALACTIC

Founders Fest ends as soon as Galactic completes their encore.

BEER – We will have the following beers on draft…plus a few surprises!
-Centennial IPA
-Devil Dancer
-Red’s Rye PA
-Pale Ale
-Founders Fest Wheat (our annual brewed-for-the-event specialty!)
-Backwoods Bastard
-Dirty Bastard
-Cerise
-All Day IPA
-Blushing Monk (to be released as the first in our 750mL Backstage Series on July 5)

PARKING
Our parking lots will be closed during Founders Fest, so please plan ahead for parking. Ellis Parking will have the following lots available: 100 Grandville, Grandville/Oakes, Custer, Avis and 90 Market. Check their online map to locate these. Other street parking is available through the city. You can also contact a local cab service to drop you off at the festival and pick you up after; two options are Calder City Taxi (616.454.8080) and Yellow Cab (616.459.4646).

For more info visit www.foundersbrewing.com