By Ed Karvoski Jr., Contributing Writer
Hudson – Plans are underway to further expand the fourth annual Spirit of Hudson Food & Brewfest scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 13, from 3 to 7 p.m. To accommodate the ever-growing number of beer vendors and guests, this year’s event will have more and larger tents in two parking lots.
Organized by the Hudson Rotary Club and the Rotary Club of Nashoba Valley, the fundraiser will host about 20 eateries. The number of participating breweries has increased from 40 last year to 60, noted Justin Provencher, an event committee member.
“Last year we had 13,000-square-feet of tents; this year we’ll have over 16,000-square feet,” Provencher explained. “It will allow more room to move around and make the overall experience better.”
Three tents will be stationed in the Avidia Bank parking lot on South Street, the event’s usual location. There, guests can sample more than 120 craft beers, malted beverages and ciders. Adding to the ambience, deejay Bobby Begg will return to provide music. Also returning is the Rolling Stogies Mobile Cigar Store Humidor.
New this year, the large tent covering eateries’ tables will be located across the street in the municipal parking lot. There, guests can sample foods and desserts.
Among the breweries will be Medusa Brewing Company of Hudson, returning for its second year. Among the restaurants confirmed to participate are three businesses that opened within the past year: 110 Grill of Berlin, Hudson House Restaurant & Lounge, and Chill Grill Kitchen & Bar of Marlborough.
“This is a great opportunity for new businesses and even established ones to showcase their specialties,” noted Provencher.
Other Hudson eateries already confirmed are Amaia Martini Bar, Applebee’s, Café 641, Checkerboards Restaurant & Bar, Fenz, Harvest Sweet Boutique, Hill’s Home Market, Hudson Creamery, Horseshoe Pub & Restaurant, Rail Trail Flatbread Co., Papa Gino’s and Riverview at Hudson Portuguese Club.
Restaurants confirmed from the Nashoba Valley are Emma’s Café and Nancy’s Airfield Café, both of Stow. Confirmed from outside of the clubs’ regions are Bolton Street Tavern and Welly’s Restaurant of Marlborough, Texas BBQ Company of Northborough, and 29 Sudbury.
Another new attraction will be a free photo booth courtesy of Avidia Bank. Joining Provencher on the event committee are Nanci Bishop, Robin Frank and Nick Pizzimento assisted by members of both clubs.
Proceeds benefit each club’s scholarship fund and community programs. In Hudson, some of the funds raised in recent years helped construct the former Gov. Argeo Paul Cellucci memorial at the Town Hall. This year, the Hudson Rotary Club sponsored a celebratory event featuring fireworks March 19, the date of the town’s incorporation in 1866. The club is also one of seven sponsors for the Hudson Sesquicentennial Parade in September.
“We thought it would be great for the Rotary Club, which has been around for 90-plus years, to be part of the Hudson 150th anniversary celebration,” Provencher said.
In this fundraiser’s first year, about 1,200 guests attended. Last year, the number rose to about 2,000. Therefore, more and larger tents have been needed for the event, which is held rain or shine.
“Costs for tents and setup has tripled since we started the event,” Provencher said. “Sponsorships cover the costs of tents and other expenses.”
Platinum sponsors are Avidia Bank, Community Advocate, Jacky Foster of Keller Williams Realty and Hometown Bank. Gold sponsors are Bacon’s Wines & Spirits, Family Federal Savings, Foster Landscape Construction, Hudson Portuguese Club, Lemire Insurance Agency, Marlborough Savings Bank, Rolling Stogies, St. Mary’s Credit Union, Chris Yates and Nelson Santos of Fletcher Tilton, and Workers Credit Union. Silver sponsors are Arbor Turf Services, Country Glass, E.T. & L Corp., Get Set Marketing, Robin Frank of Key Realty, Hogan Tire, David Monteiro Contracting, Paint Misbehavin’, Tara Construction and Tuck’s Service Center.
Tickets can be purchased online at spiritofhudson.com. Advance tickets through Thursday, Aug. 11, are $15 for food; $35 for food and brew. Tickets purchased at the event are $20 for food; $45 for food and brew.