Drink Beer, Support Art In Maplewood Thursday

MAPLEWOOD, NJ - If you like beer and you like art, the parking lot of the Wine Barrel is where you'll want to be Thursday night as the Springfield Avenue Partnership is hosting a craft beer tasting fundraiser.

All funds go to the Springfield Avenue - Public Art Initiative, which commissions artists to paint murals along Springfield Avenue in Maplewood.

The second annual Craft Beer Tasting fundraising event is scheduled to run from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at 1886 Springfield Ave. Tickets may be purchased in advance for $25 online and for $30 at the door and will get the purchaser a tasting of many offerings.

The event is open to everyone ages 21 and over. In addition to the beer tasting attendees can purchase cuisine from Springfield Avenue restaurants Cornbread and Smokehouse BBQ. Music will be provided by DJ Jen Jones.

“The funds raised from last year’s event have already allowed us to install two murals along Springfield Avenue, and we have a third mural being added this fall.” said Maplewood Mayor Victor DeLuca. "With the addition of these three murals on the Avenue we are optimistic about how they will strengthen and enhance the identity of the business district.”

The location for the third mural will be revealed during the tasting. All the proceeds for this event will benefit The Springfield Avenue Public Art Initiative, helping to bring more murals to town.

“We are grateful to Springfield Avenue-favorite Wine Barrel for hosting this event and to co-presenting sponsor CKO Maplewood,” said District Manager for the Springfield Avenue Partnership Julie Doran. “This event allows us to showcase several Springfield Avenue businesses while raising funds for our exciting new arts program on the Avenue.”

Since the first fundraising initiative last year two murals have been installed. The third mural is in progress and Doran said the partnership hopes to install the fourth mural by spring 2019.

DeLuca shared his excitement on social media.

"Thursday night is the big event on Springfield Avenue. Temperature expected to be in the 70's," DeLuca said on Facebook. "You'll get to sample some of our area's most delicious craft beers and patronize local food vendors like Cornbread."

Tickets may be purchased at the Wine Barrel or online.

For more information on this event, contact Doran, District Manager of the Springfield Avenue Partnership at districtmanager@springfieldavenue.com or visit the event page.

(Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

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