Brewgaloo organizers roll out NEW alert system for stormy weather Saturday
Day one wrapped up for the Brewgaloo festival, in which thousands filled Fayetteville street, downtown Raleigh, Friday night.
"There's so many people here for sure and you get to enjoy so many different varieties it makes it worth it for sure," said festival goer.
While festival participants enjoyed nice weather with the options of over 100 varieties of beer, many have concerns about the upcoming storms in the forecast for Saturday.
When the festival kicked off at noon, people began arriving despite the rain, carrying umbrellas down Fayetteville Street.
With any outdoor event, weather can play a factor, so organizers of Brewgaloo say they have a new ALERT system ready to inform vendors about severe weather.
This is a text message alert system that all the vendors participating in the festival are connected to.
It will alert them when severe weather is in the area, in which they will need to take a 30-minute break.
But if it's just rain, then the festival will continue.
The WRAL severe weather team has issued a WRAL weather alert day for Saturday because of a threat of severe storms.
Brewgaloo was named the number one best beer festival two years in a row by USA Today's 10 Best list.
The downtown Raleigh event was first held in 2009 and has quickly grown to include two days of events with more than 110 craft breweries featured, attracting thousands of people.
On Saturday, the main event will be held from noon to 8 p.m. on Fayetteville Street with more than 110 N.C. craft breweries, 50 local food trucks and dozens of local vendors. There will be multiple stages featuring local bands all day. As with Friday's event, admission is free, but to sample beer you will need to purchase tickets.
Saturday's forecast calls for strong to severe storms as early as 2 p.m., and the Triangle is under a Level 2 risk for severe weather. An organizer for Brewgaloo said the event will be held rain or shine.
In the event of lightning or severe weather, attendees will asked to shelter. The start time of the festival could be delayed if lightning is severe.
Tickets for Friday and Saturday can be purchased in advance. Friday tickets are $45 in advance online and $55 the day of onsite. Tickets on Friday include unlimited tasting.
For Saturday, tickets are needed for sampling. Two tickets equal one 3 oz. sample and five tickets can be used for a full pint. Online tickets are sold in bundles of 25 and are $30 in advance through Friday and $35 online on Saturday. The day of the event, you can purchase a bundle of 15 tickets for $24 or 25 tickets for $40.
Parking decks will be open throughout downtown. See a list of downtown parking lots and decks.
With Brewgaloo taking over many streets in downtown Raleigh, there will be some closures.
Note these streets will be closed throughout the festival:
- Fayetteville St. from Morgan St. to Lenoir St.
- Davie St. between Salisbury St. and Wilmington St.
- Martin St. between Salisbury St. and Wilmington St.
- Hargett St. between Salisbury St. and Wilmington St.
A WRAL Weather Alert Day has been issued for Saturday afternoon, when the Triangle is under a Level 1 risk for severe weather and areas to the south and east are under a Level 2 risk.
