ALBEMARLE — A local taphouse in downtown Albemarle is gearing up for its second-annual all-day festival that is set to take place on Oct. 8 between the hours of 11 a.m. and 8 p.m.
The Badin Brews Fall Street Festival, which is based at 124 S. First St. location and spread out from W. North St. and E. South St., will host an array of brewing companies and local musicians as well as a variety of dining and shopping options.
Badin Brews opened in the summer of 2021 and has continued to expand the scope of its entertainment outreach, culminating in this latest festival. Co-hosted by event planners at the Indian Trail-based Sunny Day Markets, over 75 different vendors are currently scheduled to participate throughout the course of the day.
Admission and parking for the festival are both free of charge.
“Even bigger and better than the last. Prepare yourself!” Badin Brews announced on its social media page. “David Bell (Pfeiffer Alum) will be playing on the outdoor stage if the weather cooperates.”
Southern Range Brewing Company, Sycamore Brewing, Victory Brewing Company, Cabarrus Brewing Company, Four Saints Brewing Company, Lenny Boy Brewing Company, Wise Man Brewing, Legal Remedy Brewing, and Catawba Brewing Company will all be on-site at the event.
Additionally, food options at the festival will include Wildfire Pizza, Mana4U, Kasen’s Krab Shack, Mike’s Vegan Cookout, Trixi’s Mexican Street Food, Sweeter Than Honey Concessions, Duck Donuts, Golden Gals Funnel Cakes, Nomad Coffee, and The Boba Tea Bar.
Montana Noel, organizer and co-owner of Sunny Day Markets, spoke at the Albemarle City Council meeting on Sept. 6 about her wish to expand the scope of Badin Brews’ upcoming event following the taphouse’s first street festival back on Aug. 13.
“With the festival that happened three weeks ago, we’re wanting to do that exact same thing but extend it to the other side of First Street,” Noel said. “And if that plan doesn’t work, we have a backup plan. I’ve been in contact with the NCDOT, and they have approved it as long as we can get the minutes from this council meeting to approve it.”
With a unanimous vote, the council approved the plans to expand the road closures that will facilitate the festival. While the event in August was on just one side of the road, this weekend’s incarnation will hold vendors on both sidewalks.
Any additional vendor applicants can still sign up to attend the festival with a $100 entrance fee; applications are available at the Badin Brews’ webpage at www.eventeny.com.