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Brew Skies Festival to spotlight live music

The Brew Skies Festival was so good, it’s coming back for an encore.

The event, dedicated to great music and West Virginia craft beers, is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, Aug. 9-10, at Canaan Valley Resort State Park. Last year’s inaugural Brew Skies Festival attracted good crowds from around the state and region, encouraging organizers to bring the concept back for a second year.

Mountain State Brewing Co. in Thomas organizes the family-friendly festival, which includes beers from a number of microbreweries in West Virginia as well as local, regional and national musical acts.

“West Virginia is quickly developing a reputation for outstanding craft beers, and we’re proud to help our fellow breweries showcase their products,” said Brian Arnett, who co-owns Mountain State Brewing Co. with Willie Lehmann. Based in Thomas, Mountain State also operates restaurants/pubs in Morgantown and Deep Creek, Md., and distributes its beers throughout West Virginia.

Highlighted performers for 2013 include Baltimore’s J. Roddy Walston & The Business; the soulful Luella & The Sun from Nashville, Tenn.; and Alabama-based singer-songwriter Grayson Capps.

In addition to the brews from Mountain State Brewing Co., attendees can sample beers from Bridge Brew Works, Morgantown Brewing Co., Lost River Brewing, Chestnut Brew Works and Blackwater Brewing.

Food vendors will include El Grand Sabor, Tip Top Coffee and Canaan Valley Resort’s famous barbecue, plus a number of local artisan and craft vendors. A special area dedicated to children’s activities also is available in the pavilion near the stage.

Music will go from 3 p.m. to midnight on Friday, and 11 a.m. to midnight Saturday. In addition to the headlining acts, the lineup includes regional favorites The Wild Rumpus, Johnson’s Crossroad, Rasta Rafiki, The Hillbilly Gypsies, Fletcher’s Grove, The Greens, Farnsworth and more.

“This year’s lineup includes outstanding performers, some of whom may be new to people but all of whom are talented,” said Kate Lane, who coordinates booking the musical acts. “With the mountains as a spectacular backdrop and temperatures much cooler than cities experience in August, Brew Skies a great getaway for families, couples or groups of friends.”

For more information on the brews, the bands or to purchase tickets, visit www.brewskiesfestival.com or call 304-463-4500. Tickets for the entire weekend of music are just $50 ($30 for a one-day pass). In addition to the website, tickets can be purchased in advance for $40 at any of the three pub locations: Thomas, Morgantown, or Deep Creek.

A variety of lodging options are available through the Tucker County Convention & Visitors Bureau at www.canaanvalley.org.

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