On Sunday, April 30, 2023, The Landing in downtown Fort Walton Beach will transform into a haven for beer enthusiasts as Craftathon returns!
- Entering its sixth year of festivities, Craftathon has seen tremendous growth since its inception. Last year, over 900 beer lovers came together to sip, sample, and savor an extraordinary lineup of craft brews, all while raising $10,000 for Fresh Start Florida.
- This year, 100% of the proceeds will go to Emerald Coast Autism Center.
Craftathon co-founder Warren Bondi emphasized the unique nature of the event, saying, “We wanted to create our own thing that would be exciting, fun and different.” Craftathon, from the very beginning, focused on offering an unrivaled lineup of breweries and beverages.
Participating breweries are given two tasks: bring something unique and special for the attendees and send a knowledgeable representative to pour the beers. The result is a highly curated and immersive experience, where visitors can learn about the brewing process, flavor profiles, and history behind the beers they’re sipping.
“We wanted to do Craftathon for the right reasons,” Bondi said. “We didn’t have any monetary desire to do the event. It was more doing something for fun and we wanted to do it for a good cause.”
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To that end, each year, Craftathon partners with a local non-profit organization, allowing them to set up a booth, sell water for $1, and educate attendees about their mission. Since its inception, Bondi estimates that Craftathon has donated well over $50,000 to various non-profits.
- Alongside the main event – the beer – visitors can also enjoy food from local eateries, beer education features, and samples from the best home brewers in the region. It’s a full day of festivities, starting at 11:00 AM for VIP ticket holders, and continuing until 4:00 PM.
Though VIP tickets have already sold out, General Admission tickets are still available for $45.00. Each ticket includes entry from 12 PM – 4 PM, a 2023 Craftathon glass, boiled crawfish, an event tee, a swag bag, and of course, all the free samples one can safely consume.
Despite the two-year hiatus due to COVID, Bondi and his fellow event creators, Bobby Nabors and Rhys Sharp, have been amazed at the support and growth of Craftathon. “We obviously didn’t know how well it would grow over the years and to see it take off and have a life of its own has been a lot of fun,” he said.
- So, if you’re ready for a unique and immersive beer experience, head down to The Landing in Fort Walton Beach on April 30th for the 6th annual Craftathon.
- Click here for tickets.
One Response
Hello,
Will you have any other type of vendors there besides beer vendors? I own and operate a clothing line based out of Niceville. You can check out my brand on http://www.coolfishapparel.com. I participate in a lot of local events and would like to be a part of this event. Thank you foe your time and consideration.