Funvitational

COVID UPDATE: As we all try our best to navigate the challenges associated with the COVID pandemic, we have decided to postpone this year’s Funvitational, scheduled for Sept. 12, 2020, until 2021. While this decision was difficult to make, it is the right one for everyone involved. We’ll use this extra time to continue to build out and plan what will be the best damn beer festival/party we can throw!    On Sept. 12, 2015, we hosted Funvitational to celebrate our 30th Anniversary. On Sept. 12, 2020, Funvitational will be back for our 35th Anniversary! Funvitational will again feature amazing breweries from Kalamazoo, Michigan and beyond. It will also return to Homer Stryker Field, home of the Kalamazoo Growlers and just down the street from the Eccentric Cafe and our original brewery where Larry Bell got his start back in 1985. Funvitational was everything we’ve ever wanted in a beer festival, and the sequel will be even better. Additional details will be announced soon! Follow us on social media and check back here for more info as it becomes available. Cheers! ps - In the meantime, relive (or experience for the first time) the original Funvitational below. [[{"fid":"9847","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default"},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"2":{"format":"default"}},"link_text":null,"attributes":{"class":"media-element file-default","data-delta":"2"}}]]  

Earlier this month, we kicked off our 30th anniversary celebration with our Funvitational beer festival. Breweries from all over the world came to Kalamazoo, several beers tapped were for the first time in Michigan. See a full list of breweries that helped us celebrate. We had a great time with the more than 4,000 people who attended. The Detroit Party Marching Band led kicked things off. In addition to beer, there was a Ferris wheel, games such as giant Jenga, skee ball and bag toss. The night ended with a surprise fireworks show. Thanks to the Kalamazoo Growlers for hosting us. These pictures are by Rhino Media Productions. We’ll have more photos and videos to come.

Update (9/9): There will be a shuttle bus travelling between the Eccentric Cafe, the Radisson Plaza Hotel and Homer Stryker Field on Saturday. The Banana Car will also be offering rides from the Cafe to the festival site for free between 1 and 4 p.m. Things to keep in mind before Saturday. FESTIVAL DETAILS Where: Homer Stryker Field, adjacent to Mayors' Riverfront Park, 251 Mills St. (between King Highway & E. Michigan Ave.) in Kalamazoo, also home to the Kalamazoo Growlers. When: Saturday, Sept. 12 Ticket check-in: Avoid waiting in long lines before the festival opens. Tents will be set-up on the north side of the soccer field (green area on map below), northwest of the ballpark. There you can exchange your ticket for a program (which includes beer tickets and food vouchers) along with your commemorative tasting glass and bracelet between noon - 4 p.m. The line to enter the festival will form at the south end of the field. Each festival attendee must be present with their ID and ticket to check-in. No one will be allowed into the festival area until 4 p.m. There is no re-entry. Festival Time: 4 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Last call will be at 9:15 p.m. Additional beer tickets: Available inside the festival site, cash only. There will be limited ATM availability. Please plan accordingly. Additional food can be purchased directly from vendors. Designated driver tickets: Limited, available at the gate on Saturday. Seating: There will be plenty of seating available in the stands around the field. Weather: Just a reminder, this event is rain or shine. Check the forecast before leaving. AFTER PARTY Boogie in the Beer Garden: Join DJ Hardbargain and DJ Lasso for a vinyl funk and soul dance party starting at 8:30 p.m. at the Eccentric Café. No cover. This will be the last garden show of the year. The Cafe is located at 355 E. Kalamazoo Ave. in downtown Kalamazoo. FESTIVAL PARKING Limited parking will be available to the north of the Kalamazoo Growlers' field and the main entrance, but we highly suggest parking in downtown Kalamazoo and either walking or bicycling to the festival or taking a cab. Carpooling is also encouraged. For a map of parking options in downtown Kalamazoo, go here. The Kalamazoo River Valley Trail will also lead you from our pub, the Eccentric Café, right to the festival site, a 0.8 mile trip (4 minutes by bicycle or a 16 minute walk). Head east on Kalamazoo Ave. to Harrison St. and turn left. The trail will pick up on your right and take you to Homer Stryker Field. A free bike valet will be available at the festival site to those who ride a bicycle. CONSTRUCTION ALERT: Mills St. is closed to thru traffic past the entrance to the park and just north of the KRVT intersection. Mayors' Riverfront Park is not accessible if traveling south on Mills St. from M-43. TRANSPORTATION Be safe, don't drink and drive. Let these fine folks help get you to where you need to be (this info will also be included in your program for easy reference). Kalamazoo Taxi & Sedan: 269-343-3100 The Taxi Guy: 269-355-4808 Taxi of Kalamazoo: 269-987-7226 Uber is also an option. WATER & SUSTAINABILITY Sustainability is very important to us. There will be water on site to help you stay hydrated. Please bring a reusable water bottle to help us cut down on waste. Please help us recycle, compost and keep our host's site clean.Volunteers will be on hand to help answer questions about what goes in what bin.

We are proud to share the initial list of breweries that will be pouring at the Bell’s 30th Anniversary Funvitational, Sept. 12, at Homer Stryker Field in downtown Kalamazoo. Both the brewery list and ticket information for the event, which will benefit the Northwoods League Foundation, are now available at bellsbeer.com/fun. The initial list (more will be announced in coming months) features more than 60 different breweries. From Alaska and Hawaii to Maine and Florida, brewers will be traveling from all across the United States to help us celebrate 30 years of inspired brewing here in Michigan. “It is very humbling and exciting to be able to share such a milestone with so many talented and influential brewers,” said Laura Bell, Bell’s Vice President. “As we get closer, more and more details are being finalized and there are quite a few surprises we are very excited to share with not only our industry partners, but also our fans … stay tuned,” she added. A total of three-thousand tickets will be sold for $45 each. Half of those will be sold through a mail order system detailed here. The other 1,500 will be sold first come, first serve at the Eccentric Café on July 12 starting at 11 a.m. Additional details will be released closer to that event. Each ticket will include 12 tasting tokens, food vouchers and a special commemorative glass. Stay tuned to bellsbeer.com as well as Bell’s social media channels for more details about entertainment, beers, food and other surprises.