By Derek Halsey
For The Herald-Dispatch
Barboursville — On Saturday, Aug. 29, The Herald-Dispatch and HD Media will once again host the Corks & Kegs event in Barboursville Park.
This year’s libation occasion runs from 4 to 8 p.m. and will offer attendees a chance to sample a wide array of craft beer, wines and foods. This year’s theme is Yacht Rock, featuring music selected and played by DJ Jazzy TC.
“Every year we go out and gather some newer, different beers and wines,” HD Media Controller Georgetta Thevenin said. “We bring back some of the favorites, but ultimately Corks & Kegs is a chance to go out and enjoy some music and taste some different beers and wines from the area. We always like to try to get the small craft breweries to come down so people can meet them and get to know them and let everybody taste what they have to offer.”
Thevenin and crew will decorate the event space to fit the Yacht Rock theme, with this year’s decorations including a sailboat to add to the ambiance.
When it comes to the Yacht Rock, some of the essential albums in this musical genre include everything from Christopher Cross’ self-titled 1979 album to the later Doobie Brothers albums featuring Michael McDonald on keyboards and vocals, and other recordings of that time period by Toto, Carly Simon, Boz Scaggs, Jimmy Buffet and other selections.
Regular tickets are $55. VIP tickets are also available for $76, with the latter group getting early access at 3 p.m. Designated driver tickets are also available for $25. More information can be found at facebook.com/HDCorksandKegs.
Every year, Corks & Kegs partners with an organization that benefits from a portion of the proceeds. This year’s partner is the Huntington Cabell Wayne Animal Control Shelter. Volunteers with the shelter will be at Saturday’s event, along with volunteers from the local Target store.
“What we will do is ask local businesses to donate items for us to raffle off and then all of the proceeds from the raffle will go to the charity partner. The Cabell Wayne Animal Shelter will have volunteers there to help us with set up, tear down, and serve the beers and wines we will offer,” Thevenin said. “Our local Target store will also provide us with volunteers to help out during the day. Target stores, to their credit, encourage their employees to volunteer within the community and we’re happy to have them.”
Thevenin has organized the Corks & Kegs event over the years with Jerry Briggs, the vice president of sales. Briggs died Aug. 17 after a short illness. Phil Perry, president of HD Media, said Briggs’ absence at Saturday’s event will be felt, but they hope to honor him by making it another great event.
“This is the first one that we’re putting on without Jerry’s presence and his leadership and there’s definitely a void there without him, but we’re going to try to make it the best one yet in his honor and we’re not holding back,” Perry said. “Our employees volunteer for this event as well and we take pride in Corks & Kegs and it has grown every year. Having the support of the city of Barboursville has been amazing. And, it’s a beautiful park. I mean, even if you don’t come for Corks & Kegs, you need to visit that park because it’s great.”
Read more from HDMedia, here.
The post Corks & Kegs returns to Barboursville Park this weekend. appeared first on West Virginia Press Association.
