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HARLINGEN — Harlingen Field is set to stage the summer’s frothiest celebration as city leaders gear up to tap into barrels of craft beer from across Texas for the city’s newest festival.
On July 28, the city’s storied baseball stadium turns into Harlingen’s biggest taproom as organizers launch Brews & Tunes Summer Beer Fest, featuring the work of 22 breweries and nearly 30 craft micro breweries from across the state.
On stage, the Spazmatics, the classic chain band, will fill the stadium with its electrifying brand of 1980’s New Wave hits.
“It’s going to be the event of the summer, not only for Harlingen but for the entire Rio Grande Valley and beyond,” Mayor Norma Sepulveda said during a press conference at the Hilton Garden Inn. “We hope this will be an annual event. Exciting things are happening right here in the city of Harlingen.”
Showcasing 30 craft breweries
The city’s teaming up with L&F Distributors to pull the cork for Harlingen’s newest festival.
“It’s going to be very fun,” Juan Arroyo, L&F Distributors’ general manager, told the audience packing the conference room.
Showcasing the work of nearly 30 craft micro breweries, the festival will offer beer aficionados samples of 17 styles of brew, from ale, cider and bock to blonde, gose and red Irish, all the way to koslch, hefeweizen and witbeir.
Planning regional draw
As they planned the event, organizers focused on tapping into a regional draw.
“We know this event will attract people from all over Texas,” Cassandra Consiglio, director of the Harlingen Convention and Visitors Bureau, said.
City leaders are counting on the festival to pump tourist dollars into town.
“This event will boost our local economy by bringing in residents and visitors alike into Harlingen,” Cristina Garcia, the city’s spokeswoman, stated in a press release.
Summer celebration
During the press conference, Commissioner Rene Perez hailed the event as a summer celebration.
“I love a party,” he said. “It’s a celebration of our vibrant community and our spirit of togetherness.”
The festival gives Harlingen Field new life years after serving as the home of minor league baseball teams including the Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings, whose 1994 to 2014 run led city leaders to fund the stadium’s $1.2 million renovation in 2001.
“It brings life back to the stadium and that’s a great thing,” Commissioner Ford Kinsley said.
The summer festival becomes the latest the city’s Visit Harlingen tourism department’s adding to its growing list of events.
“God willing, this will be the first of many more,” Commissioner Frank Morales said. “There’s more to come for the fall and winter.”
