Attendees of the 8th annual Brews Arts Festival tried different types of beer and observed the works of local artists in downtown Hammond. The festival featured 40 plus beer, live music and art, including the Southeastern Ceramic Club and jewelry.
Jessica Anny/The Lion’s Roar
Companies offered samples and promoted their beer while other people sold and showcased their art at the Brews Art Festival. The 8th annual Brews Arts Festival featured 40 plus beers, food and a local band.
This event happened Friday, Sept. 29 at the Hammond Regional Arts Center.
HRAC Media Coordinator Tara Bennett shared her thoughts on the event.
“I like that it’s a little, tiny festival in the heart of Hammond,” said Bennett. “It’s just a fun little event every year that people can attend to try new beers, look at art demonstrations and just have a good time in their own hometown. The funny thing is, I’ve never been a big beer drinker until I started going to this festival because they have beers for everyone.”
Bennett loves seeing the joy on attendees’ faces.
“We’re not known like New Orleans for the arts or music,’ said Bennett. “So, it’s great that we have our little thing and the people that come here every year love and appreciate it.”
Bennett has been working with the event since 2013, starting as an intern to her current position.
Vice President of the Southeastern Ceramics Club Elizabeth Allison likes the fact that the event can showcase the livelihood and that they have been attending this festival and others like it for a long time.
“To see other artists of course,” said Allison. “To see other work but to also show people that ceramics is still a part of the art world. I come to make money and get art exposure, feed back from the people seeing it.”
Skylar Grills works for a distributor and gave out samples of Chilero beer for people of age to try. This is Grills’ first year at the festival. She has been with her current company for about six months. They put her in charge of special events.
“I like meeting people and seeing the crowds it pulls in most definitely and getting people to try something they normally wouldn’t when it comes to beer,” said Grills. “Somebody wanted to try a certain beer that we had, but we poured another one on accident. And they ended up loving it. It just goes to show how getting people to try new things are really cool. I like to come here to educate people about beer. I’m from an area where craft beer is huge, so I started drinking beer as I learned to love it and learn about it. I think this event is good for the community and helps strengthen the community, brings people together.”
Tammy Ross, sells jewelry and has been attending Brews Arts Festival for a while.
“I’ve been coming here since it started, and I made friends here that I see every year,” said Ross. “It’s just plain fun. Everyone just walks around and has a good time with another. I’m always happy to sell my jewelry so that I can make money, and the making of the jewelry is my fun part. This is for sure something that I want to keep coming back to.”
Otto Ochs and his wife Marion make jewelry together.
“I believe every human being needs an art of their own,” said Ochs. “The joy is to create something and be in the zone of it, get the chance to let people view our art work. I love when the community gets together for this. It really is great.”