Loyalhanna Watershed Brewfest returns on Saturday with new fall date

The Loyalhanna Watershed Association’s annual Brewfest, now in its third year, has moved from the summer to the fall.

The event, set for 4:30 p.m. Saturday , will feature live music and specialty beverages from area breweries and distilleries. It will be held on the western outskirts of Ligonier, in the lower field of the Watershed Farm — also home to the seasonal Ligonier Country Market.

“This year, the Greensburg craft beer festival was the same week ours was going to be, so we decided to push ours back a few months later and have a fall festival,” said Susan Huba, executive director of the watershed association.

That means those attending this year’s Loyalhanna event, dubbed OktoBREWfest, might be able to sample a different selection of seasonal fall brews that weren’t available in previous years.

Stone Bridge Brewing Co. of Johnstown and Unity Brewing of Unity Township are among area breweries expected to take part for the first time in the Loyalhanna festival.

Samples also will be available from Bold Rock Hard Cider, Sixpoint Brewery, Helltown Brewing, Sobel’s Obscure Brewery, Tattiebogle Ciderworks and Wandering Spirits.

Tickets for the 21-and-older event cost $25 and include parking, admission, a commemorative tasting glass and unlimited sampling. The cost is $10 for those who don’t intend to imbibe.

Visit loyalhannaoktobrewfest.eventbrite.com to purchase tickets.

Musical entertainment will be provided by area band HiDef, known for garage rock and covers of classic and alternative rock. The lineup includes Chris Crawford on drums, Dobie Marquis on guitar, and Mark Campagna on bass.

Those attending should bring a chair or blanket for outdoor seating.

Food will be available for purchase from Long’s Catering and Sweet Rust Southern Table.

About 200 people attended the watershed association’s recent annual Harvest Dinner. Huba is hoping the brewfest will attract a similar number.

“The first two years were very well attended,” she said of the brewfest. “People really enjoyed the casual outdoor event, and there are a lot of beer enthusiasts here.”

With Donna Tidwell of Berkshire Hathaway Home Services sponsoring the event, all proceeds will benefit the association’s programs and conservation efforts.

“It helps to maintain the properties we hold,” Huba said. That includes nature trails and several canoe and kayak access points along the Loyalhanna Creek beginning near Idlewild Park in Ligonier Township.

Visit loyalhannawatershed.org for more information about the watershed association.