The Southwest Voice

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It’s been said that it takes a village to raise a kid.

On Saturday, Sept. 6, the Children’s Advocates Resources Endowment (CARE) wants that village to party it up at Village Fest 2008!

Village Fest, formerly known as Brews in the Village, is one of Bakersfield’s premiere social events held every year to financially support the growth and development of Kern County’s most at-risk kids.

Get ready for good times!
The name of the event was changed this year to reflect its explosive growth and popularity, organizers said.

“When we first started it was a beer tasting festival. Then we added wine, cigars, food and entertainment. We realized the ‘Brews’ name wasn’t really fitting anymore because we’ve really grown into a full festival,” said Jim Luff, the president of CARE, the nonprofit organization that benefits from the event.

Village Fest co-founder Ralph Fruguglietti agrees, “We literally outgrew our name.”

Spread out over 16 acres of the Kern County Museum, Village Fest is like Disneyland for adults, complete with themed areas such as the Vino Village — where you can wet your palate with the finest of California Central Coast wines — and the fiesta themed CantinaVille that is so much fun, it had to be expanded at this year’s event.

True to its roots, the event still offers an extensive beer tasting. You will find selections from over 60 breweries, including local favorite and Southwest Bakersfield hot spot, Lengthwise Brewing Company.

“We are proud to participate in Village Fest year after year,” said Jeff Williams, the microbrewery’s owner. “This event benefits the children of Kern County and at the same time is one of Bakersfield’s biggest social events.”

Over 30 restaurants, including newcomers P.F. Changs, BJ’s Brewery and Famous Dave’s Barbecue will provide the perfect food pairings for all your wine and beer tasting. And as if that weren’t enough, there will be five stages supporting 17 live music acts throughout the night.

“I tell people attending the event for the first time to be prepared to be blown away by the magnitude and quality of it,” said Fruguglietti.

All for a good cause
One-hundred percent of the profits made at Village Fest go to CARE. Of that, 60 percent is put into an endowment that ensures that, if for some reason, Village Fest doesn’t go on, the good work for which it was created will.

“We put the other 40 percent back into the community through our grant program,” Luff said.

Local nonprofits that are dedicated to children’s causes receive grant funding from CARE.

Last year, the Bakersfield Police Activities League (PAL), which is located in southeast Bakersfield and provides after school care for more than 1,000 kids with the goal of keeping them away from gangs and street life, received $2,000 in grant funding from CARE. The money went toward the organization’s soccer program and to buy boxing equipment.

“CARE does a lot to support the children of Kern County,” said BPD Sgt. Chad Jackman, director of PAL. “And I’ve worked the Village Fest the last three years and can tell you it’s a nice, safe event for a good cause.”

What are you waiting for?
The Village Fest committee is aiming to raise $1 million for CARE this year. You can help by purchasing a ticket and attending this philanthropic event that is also one heck of a party!

Tickets are $60 and can be purchased at Lengthwise Brewing Company, Frugatti’s Italian Eatery and Wells Fargo branch locations. With the event only a couple days away, you’ll want to act fast as there are usually very few tickets left for sale at the door.

Your ticket will provide admission into the event, which starts at 6 p.m., a commemorative tasting glass, entertainment, food and 15 beer tasting samples. Attendees must be 21 years of age and will be asked to provide identification when purchasing tickets and attending the event.

Make sure to stop by The Southwest Voice’s luau themed booth and have your picture taken for the Spotlight page coming soon to our Web site.