Welcome to SPRING

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FEATURING AN ELATION INSPIRED FOOD MENU & WOOD-FIRED PIZZA FROM THE BAKEHOUSE AT ELATION

Ah, spring.

The sound of feathered robins and cardinals; the crack of a bat and roar of the crowd on opening day.

The sight and smell of budding trees and flowers. Butterflies ride the warm southerly breeze and pollinators do their important work.

Splashing mountain waters, gliding canoes, longer days, black bears emerge from hibernation.

Outdoor concerts at amphitheaters, public park stages, street parties ring in the seasonal promise of rebirth.

Then, of course, festivals galore celebrating everything from regional foods like she-crab soup, BBQ, seafood, springtime wines and craft beer of the lighter varieties to visual art, crafts, gardens, Pride, cultural heritage, and kite flying.

Spring marks the beginning of festival season, and in this issue of the magazine we have pulled together an extensive list of must-attend events region-by-region.

I know few people who love to attend festivals more than Jennifer and our fellow marketing consultant Brian Koski. Chances are you’ve seen them celebrating life one weekend after another.

Virginia is a diverse state with so many unique opportunities that I hope you’ll use our Festival Guide to plan day trips and weekend excursions to experience small town events, rural and mountain regions, the coastal, lake, and riverside communities, and fun downtowns from Charlottesville, Harrisonburg and Roanoke to Norfolk, Richmond, and Alexandria.

Festivals offer an opportunity to engage with locals over a beer while enjoying music and other entertaining activities. Get to know someone new and gain a greater appreciation of what it means to live in Virginia.

Yes, Virginia is still for lovers — lovers of life and all the good things in it. So spring off the couch and enjoy to the fullest!

Jeff Maisey Publisher/Editor Virginia Craft Beer Magazine

PUBLISHER/EDITOR

Jeff Maisey jeffmaisey@yahoo.com

ADVERTISING/MARKETING

Jennifer McDonald

Brian Koski

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Brenda Mihalko

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Chris Cook

Jefferson Evans

Chuck Triplett

Jennifer Waldera

WEBMASTER

Giorgio Valentini

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Virginia Craft Beer Magazine is published bi-monthly by Ghent Media, Inc. PO Box 11147

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