Fall Fest celebrates 30 years

Local beer, panoramic views and live music are here again as Schweitzer rings in the harvest season with Fall Fest, the mountain’s annual beer festival.

This year’s festivities kick off Friday and run through Monday, offering a diverse selection of 80 different kinds of beer, cider and wine from across the Pacific Northwest. The selection has been growing each year since the event was first hosted in 1993.

To celebrate 30 years of Fall Fest, Schweitzer designed a logo that “plays homage to when it all started in the ‘90s,” marketing communications manager Taylor Prather said.

The logo will be featured throughout the festival and on merchandise, including special anniversary glasses — the key to tasting all the unique drink options.

Souvenir glasses come with three drink tickets and need to be purchased to participate in tastings. Different sizes are available for purchase online until Wednesday and on site at the event.

Kids will have the chance to craft their own soda flavors at a drink station set up for creating “wild concoctions,” the Schweitzer website says. A tie-dye “silipint” cup was created especially for younger guests.

Over 20 food trucks, local artisans, and vendors from around the region will be stationed at the event. Regular Schwietzer summer activities including mountain biking, chairlift rides, and hiking will all be available during the resort’s usual hours from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Live music artists include Madeline Hawthorne, Mo Lowda & The Humble, Snacks at Midnight, Runaway Symphony, Brittany’s House, Aaron Golay, Kaitlyn Wiens, Katie Mintle, Sam Weber Trio, and Sam Leyde Band.

“Fall Fest has become a staple Labor Day weekend event in the Inland Northwest, and we can’t wait to celebrate 30 years of good times, great company, and even better beer,” Prather said.