MINT HILL, NC – Mint Hill Veterans Memorial Park was packed on Saturday, May 21, for the town’s first “Music & Brews Night!”
Scattered afternoon storms seemed to put Music & Brews in jeopardy, but the event opened to clear skies and warm temperatures at 6:30. In an attempt to create an event geared toward Mint Hill’s adult community, Music & Brews differentiated itself from Mint Hill’s “Family Fun Night” concert series with the addition of a beer tent stocked by Olde Mecklenburg Brewery, who served up three of their popular year-round beers: Copper, Captain Jack and Hornet’s Nest.
Unfortunately for beer aficionados, OMB was unprepared for the size of the crowd and ran out of beer in just a half-hour with a line over 50 people deep still stretching across the soccer field. OMB was able to restock shortly after 8:00, but with the concert set to conclude at 9:00, they missed out on the bulk of the event.
“Thanks to everyone who came out to Music and Brews tonight,” Mint Hill Events posted on Facebook shortly after the event. “Unfortunately, the beer vendor we contracted with was unable to meet the demand,” they acknowledged. “Next vendor will be better prepared!”
Despite a shortage of “Brews,” it was an enjoyable evening for all who attended. Temperatures cooled off as the sun went down, and Charlotte-based Classic Rock Band Coconut Groove put on a great show, playing everything from Eric Clapton to Tom Petty. Patrons enjoyed savory and sweet treats from food vendors StrudelTeig, 100 Main Beef & BBQ, A Little Taste of Chicago, and Sprinkles. There was also free ax-throwing from Chuck it Axes, a mobile ax-throwing setup started in Fort Myers, Florida.
Music & Brews wouldn’t be possible without the help of generous sponsors like Elite Physical Therapy. A privately owned physical therapy practice with two locations in Charlotte – one in the Eastover area and one in Ballantyne – Elite Physical Therapy treats everyone from athletes to folks who hurt their back gardening.
Another key sponsor was Wil Lawson, better known as “Mint Hill Wil.” “I own the State Farm by Showmars, and we’re here to give snacks to kids and coozies to beverage partakers!” joked Lawson. “We love Mint Hill, and we just love being a part of building neat things like this,” he continued. “Cassie put on a great event here.” As an added bonus, Lawson donated $10 to the Chamber of Commerce’s Scholarship Fund for each person who entered their information to receive an auto insurance quote.
“Music and Brews night was a huge success!” said Mint Hill Events Assistant Cassie Brooks. “We had a great turnout with guests of all ages, enjoying the weather and music by Coconut Groove! Plans are already in the works for another event. We want to thank Edifice, Arts and Science Council, Elite Physical Therapy, and Mint Hill Wil State Farm for sponsoring Music and Brews Night.”
Mark your calendars for the first Family Fun Night of the season on June 18 featuring Groove Machine. Family fun starts at 6:30; Groove Machine takes the stage at 7:00. For more information about all the fun happening this summer and beyond in Mint Hill, make sure to follow Mint Hill Events on Facebook.