14th Annual Nashua River Brewers Festival In Fitchburg This Saturday

FITCHBURG, MA — Nearly three dozen craft brewers from across Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New Hampshire will be featured at Fitchburg's Riverfront Park on Saturday for the 14th annual Nashua River Brewers Festival.

The festival is held annually at the downtown Fitchburg redeveloped park on the banks of the river in an effort to raise money for local nonprofits, celebrate regional craft breweries and provide a great day of fun, music and food for visitors to the city and its residents.

This year's event includes Fitchburg hometown brewer Thirsty Robot, longtime local craft pillar Wachusett Brewing and a special return to pour old favorites from the former Fitchburg taproom of River Styx.

Unlike many beer events, most of the breweries at the Nashua River Brewers Festival will be represented by the brewers themselves — giving attendees the chance to talk about the beer with the people who made it.

Brewers have told organizers many times over the years that this is their favorite event to pour at each festival season.

There will also be a Kappy's Liquors Wine Table.

The event is from 1 to 6 p.m. at Riverfront Park (100 Commercial Street on GPS) in Fitchburg.

This year's primary beneficiary is the Nashua River Watershed Association. Beers For Good, the all-volunteer group that founded and hosts the event, has donated more than $96,000 to local charities since the first festival in 2008.

Music on the stage will feature local and regional acts Keith McLinden out of Fitchburg, Boston's Good June and the Worcester-based Michael Kane & The Morning Afters.

Food trucks scheduled are Sauced & Tossed Chicken, The Grateful Dog, Smokestack Roasters and Zapata Mexican Cocina.

Tickets are $35 in advance (through Friday at midnight) and $45 as of Saturday online and at the gate. Tickets can be purchased here.

Go to Beers For Good for a full list of brewers and where to buy tickets locally at supporting businesses in Fitchburg, Leominster and Lunenburg.