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Guests sampled more than 80 craft brews from 15 states, voted in the State Brew Challenge and enjoyed a weekend full of festival fun. The 32nd Annual Main Street Fest took place May 20, 21 and 22, 2016.
For a special treat at this year's event, guests were able to meet and take photos with Duke Wilhelm IV from Ingolstadt, Germany. During this year's event, Grapevine partnered with Ingolstadt in the celebration of the Bavarian Beer Purity Law of 1516. Enacted by Duke Wilhelm IV, this law is the oldest law governing food and beverage. In addition to signing autographs and posing for photographs, Duke Wilhelm participated in a series of cask tappings with various breweries, introduced festival musical guests and participated in various events throughout the weekend.
Patrons in the Craft Brew Experience presented by Gaylord Texan Resort have voted Texas the winner of the State Brew Challenge for the second year in a row. Craft breweries from across the country battled it out for the hearts and taste buds of festival-goers during the State Brew Challenge. Votes were cast as brews were poured in the delightful beer garden setting of Grapevine's Liberty Park. Voters selected Colorado as the second place finisher with California taking third place. Other participating breweries were from Alaska, Arizona, Delaware, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, Vermont and Washington.
"Main Street Fest was a wonderful celebration in Historic Downtown Grapevine," said festival chairs Melva and Mark Stanfield. "All weekend, so many families and guests enjoyed the Craft Brew Experience, the Junior Builder Competition at LEGOLAND® Discovery Center and the touch pool at SEA LIFE. Many guests also had their favorite festival food, shopped with the artisans and listened to live music."
Excitement was building all three days of the festival during the 3rd Annual DFW ICON competition, hosted by JG Entertainment. Winners were selected Sunday in different age categories and included Grand Champion Kelsey Lewis, 21, Grand Prairie, TX; Taylor Gayle, 11, Plano, TX; Megan Bradley, 12, Norman, OK; Mollie Coday, 17, Frisco, TX and The Lovely Annise, 24, Fort Worth, TX.
Guests also danced in the streets during live performances on stages throughout the festival from artists such as The Romantics, Rodney Crowell, Johnny Rogers and more. Live music could be heard on three stages throughout the weekend.
In the weeks prior to Main Street Fest, a series of pre-festival craft brew dinners and brewery tours held at establishments across North Texas including Audacity Brew House, Community Brewery, Chill Restaurant, Franconia Brewing Company, Hilton DFW Lakes, Mac's on Main, Rockfish Grill, Tolbert's Restaurant and Wise Guys Pizza. Most of these special events featured food designed to specifically enhance the craft brew experience.
The 32nd Annual Main Street Fest had an attendance of 178,672, an increase of 16% over the previous year. The proceeds from the 32nd Annual Main Street Fest benefit historic preservation and restoration projects throughout Grapevine. Photos are available upon request. For more information about Grapevine or Main Street Fest, call 800-457-6558 or visit www.GrapevineTexasUSA.com.
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