AMERICUS — Want to put something fun on your calendar for the spring?
Americus Main Street hosts it first ever Americus Hot Glass Craft Beer festival from 1-6 p.m. on April 8.
Americus has a rich history in artisan glass blowing with Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW) having one of only a few such studios in the University System of Georgia. GSW has produced many fine glass blowing artisans over the years taught by Ralph Harvey.
And with Georgia’s reputation as an innovative craft brewing culture, it only makes sense to put the two together. Many local businesses now serve beers from regional microbreweries, and Americus also has a healthy home brewing club.
The recent advent of Mobile Glass Blowing Studios, by GSW professor Chuck Wells and glass blowing artisan Phil Vinson, has not only occupied a long-empty space at the edge of downtown Americus but manufactures and ships mobile glass blowing studios all over the world.  Another pin on Americus’ map, a global one.
Patrick Kay, director of Americus Main Street and Downtown Development Authority, realized the opportunity to join glass and brew for “a truly unforgettable event, the uniqueness of which is guarantee to draw beer enthusiasts, artists, and the curious alike from all over the southwest Georgia region.”
He added that the goal is to “encourage the continued growth of the local craft beer movement, highlight Americus’ rich history of artisan glassblowing and showcase Americus as an artisan destination.”
Participants will have the opportunity to sample Georgia crafts beers and glassblowing artists from around the world.
Sponsorships are going rapidly but there are still some available.
A Growler Sponsor ($250) gets its company name on all online media information including Facebook and website advertising and two VIP passes to the event.
Glass Furnace Sponsors ($500), with two available, get their company banner displayed at the event, the company name on print advertising for the day of the event, company name in all media information including Facebok, website and print advertising, vendor location included to advertise company, logo on event t-shirts, and four VIP passes.
Hops and Barley Sponsors ($1,000), with four available, get everything the Glass Furnace Sponsors get plus logo on wristbands at the event, logo on signs in the festival area, and eight VIP passes.
The Title Sponsor ($2,500) has already been reserved.
All 2017 sponsors will be considered a Founding Sponsor and will receive a 20 percent discount on all future years sponsoring the event.
As plans progress, the Americus Times-Recorder will continue with updates on what should be a crowd-drawing, crowd-pleasing inaugural event.
For more information or to sponsor the event, contact Patrick Kay at 229-924-4411, ext. 235 or pkay@americusga.gov