There could be no better way for a community to come together than over fine drinks and quality food, and that's exactly what the people of Portage did on Thursday night. Everyone gathered at Woodland Park for the Portage Township Education Foundation's Brewfest. It was a collaboration between the Portage Township Education Foundation and the Greater Portage Chamber of Commerce great night for anyone interested in having a few drinks while also supporting Portage schools.
The night was full of laughter, fellowship, and of course some great beer and wine. Attendees had the chance to bid on some incredible prizes at the Brewfest's many silent and live auctions. Some such goodies were a beautiful dinette set donated by Shay Furniture, a myriad of fantastic sports memorabilia, and even a pair of Blackhawks tickets!
Believe it or not, that's not even the best part. The proceeds went directly into the Portage Township School System. The buyers who participated in the bidding were able to snag up some great items and help the schools in a tremendous way.
"We've been planning this for nine months, and you can really see the effect of it," said Terry Hufford, the Past President of the Portage Township Education Foundation."This is all for a really good cause, too. All the money goes back to the kids."
Let's not forget about the entertainment. Dan Reisen, a teacher at South Haven Elementary, brilliantly performed some cover tunes for everyone. He did an amazing job entertaining the crowd throughout the night.
And what goes best with live entertainment? Incredible wine and beer, of course. Figure Eight Brewery, Indiana Beverage, and Shady Creek Winery were just a few of the wonderful donors present dispensing liquid merriment. Each beer and wine was as delicious as the last. It's not hard to see why many people went back for seconds, or thirds.
In a lot of ways, the 7th Annual Portage Brewfest was the place to be. Between the fantastic music, the delightful drinks, and the incredible auctions, the Portage Township Education Foundation provided the community with a wonderfully fun night. Not only that, the people of Portage provided for their town's schools.
"We're really pleased with the turnout this year," said Terry Hufford. "This is such a great way to bring the community and the schools together, and we will definitely continue this event for a while."
Click here to see more photos from the Brewfest!