Today’s featured festival is a nonprofit event I’ve been involved with since the beginning. You see, the event incorporates two of my favorite things—dogs and beer—and 100% of the proceeds of this festival go to Harley’s Dream.
Harley had a dream of ridding the world of puppy mills, and I was lucky to have met him during his lifetime. An effective spokesdog against puppy mills, he made a big difference. Harley is gone now but through his nonprofit, he continues to make a difference. Harley’s Dream has a mission of creating awareness and educating the public about commercial dog breeding, known as puppy mills.
Harley had been rescued from a puppy mill after 10 years as a breeding male. He bore lifelong scars as evidence of his decade living at a puppy mill. Most notably, he was missing an eye due to his cage being cleaned with a power hose while he was still in it (a common practice at puppy mills).
About 80% of Americans own dogs and when they hear the truth about commercial breeding businesses many become vocal opponents of the practice. And the word is getting out thanks to Harley’s Dream and festivals like Hops & Harley.
City Star Brewing is the host of Hops & Harley. People come to the festival from far and wide because Harley and his message touched their life in some way. Many are owners of rescued mill dogs and these lucky pooches come with them.
In fact, Hops & Harley is probably the most dog-friendly festival in Colorado. Leashed dogs crowd the park and there are activities, vendors and treats just for them.
For their human counterparts, there are games, food and of course, beer. City Star Brewing provides their award-winning craft beer to thirsty patrons under the trees at Fickle Park in downtown Berthoud. Food trucks of various kinds provide sustenance in the form of barbeque to Thai to jalapeno corn fritters.
There are also vendors that fit the festivals theme as well as dog agility. You can see if your furry friend has what it takes to be an agility star. This is also a festival that’s great for kids. Not only is it free, which is always good for families, but children can enjoy an array of activities specifically targeted at them.
Music will float through Fickle Park for the entire event starting with By the Lee, a Colorado duo born of The Railsplitters. Bring your dancing shoes because Joe Kuckla & Irons in the Fire take the stage at 3 p.m. and this country, rock, folk band brings the fun.
Hops & Harley
CityStarBrewing.com/hops-and-harley
June 15, 2019
11 a.m to 6 p.m.
Fickle Park/Berthoud/Colorado
Admission FREE
#HopsandHarley | #ENDPuppyMills
Remember, 100% of event proceeds go to Harley’s Dream. In 2018, Hops & Harley raised $30,000.
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This “Featured Festival” spot is in sponsorship of Hops & Harley. If you’d like to feature your festival on HeidiTown.com, please email TheMayor@HeidiTown.com
