The Shuswap’s thirst for an event celebrating locally produced beer, spirits and ciders enabled organizers to serve a $10,000 donation to the Salmon Arm Rescue Unit.
The inaugural Shuswap Brewers Festival was held at Salmon Arm’s Northyards Cider Co. on Sept. 16.
It involved Ricochet Brewing, Crannóg Ales, the Barley Station, Mt. Begbie Brewery out of Revelstoke, Vernon’s Marten Brewing Co., Shuswap Highlands Distillery, La Grange Distillery from Enderby, Sicamous’ After Dark Distillery, Farmstrong Cider out of Armstrong, Shuswap Cider and host Northyards Cider, each pouring samples of their product, with food trucks, games and live music adding to the festival feel. The event was a success, with approximately 400 people attending.
Organizers Angela Inskip of Shuswap Shop Local on Instagram, and Ricochet’s Meaghan and Marc Zaichkowsky, decided early on that the event would be a fundraiser, with the first one benefiting the Salmon Arm Rescue Society (SARS), which runs the Rescue Unit.
The Salmon Arm Rescue Unit has been responding to on-road emergencies since 1963. Its coverage area spans from the east side of Sorrento to Salmon Arm, part way to Sicamous, Ranchero and the Salmon Valley.
Early this year SARS launched a campaign to raise $500,000 to replace and outfit Rescue Unit’s truck.
“Every little bit helps for sure,” said a grateful SARS president Tim Alstad. To date, SARS has reached one-quarter of its fundraising goal.
On Monday afternoon, Oct. 16, the Shuswap Brewers Festival team were able to kick in a $10,000 donation towards that goal.
“Giving them that cheque last night as the best feeling in the world, and their reactions,” said Inskip who, along with the Zaichkowskys, are grateful for the sponsors who came onboard with the event, helping to cover related costs.
“I’m proud of our little team everyone who worked really hard,” said Inskip.
Meaghan said plans are in the works for next year’s Shuswap Brewers Festival, for which a different donation recipient will be selected. She welcomed any businesses interested in sponsoring the 2024 event to get in touch. For more information, visit shuswapbrewersfest.com or email info@shuswapbrewersfest.com.
Alstad said the Rescue Unit is always looking for volunteers. To learn more, visit www.saru.ca. To make a donation, email salmonarmrescueunit@gmail.com.
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