Blues Traveler headlining Sarasota craft beer, music fest
One of the most popular rock bands of the mid-1990s will be a major reason for attendees to spend a few extra hours enjoying a day dedicated to Florida-brewed beers.
Blues Traveler is the headliner of the Sundown Session concerts taking place as part of the new Sip the Sunshine Craft Beer Festival Oct. 29 at Nathan Benderson Park in northeast Sarasota County.
Sip the Sunshine Beer will showcase Florida’s established, award-winning as well as burgeoning breweries. Complementing all those Sunshine State brews will be Florida-inspired cuisine by many of the area's top chefs and caterers.
The $45 general admission ticket includes commemorative tasting glass, three hours of sampling Florida craft beers, one food ticket, unlimited water bottles and admission to the Sundown Session concerts. There's also a $125 VIP admission option.
A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the University of South Florida Sarasota/Manatee’s Food and Beverage Science Program, which has a beer science course.
Tickets are available at Sipthesunshine.com
Sip the Sunshine will feature over 50 Florida craft breweries including local favorites Big Top, Calusa, Darwin, Fat Point, JDub's and Motorworks.
Food will be available from local favorites Fete Catering, Nancy's Bar-B-Q, Chef Christian Hershman, Chef Steve Phelps, Chef Darwin Santa Maria and Chef Paul Mattison. In addition, there will be an exit swag bag for each guest.
The craft beer festival starts at noon for VIP ticket holders and 1 p.m. for general admission and lasts until 4 p.m.
The Sundown Session concerts are from 5 to 9 p.m.
Grammy-winning Blues Traveler, the blues-rock band led by singer-harmonica player John Popper, is best known for the hit singles "Run-Around" and "Hook," and has a dedicated following, largely thanks to its improvisations more associated with the jam band movement.
The music roster is rounded out by an eclectic lineup of Florida bands: Bradenton-based nationally-acclaimed Americana act Have Gun, Will Travel; Bradenton-based reggae standouts Jah Movement, and national-touring South Florida rockers The Heavy Pets.
