WHEELING — The 10 Year Anniversary Mountaineer Brewfest, a celebration of West Virginia’s finest craft beers, will be held Saturday, Aug. 17, at the Heritage Port in Wheeling.

Tickets for the 2024 Mountaineer Brewfest are on sale now. The Mountaineer Brewfest has raised more than $211,000 to date in donations to local Wheeling charities through festival proceeds and matching tips generated by the Circus Saints & Sinners.

For the 10th consecutive year, the Mountaineer Brewfest will be brought to you by Title Sponsor Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack. Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack has been a positive force in Wheeling for more than a century. From its early racing days that predate the Civil War to its current state as one of the largest tourist attractions in West Virginia, Wheeling Island is rich in American history. Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack has made significant contributions to various charities through a program called “Game Changer” which is funded through casino patrons’ extra change and donations, and their “Wheeling Island Sharing Hope” program that focuses on giving back to the community.

“We are excited to see The Mountaineer Brewfest reach its 10th anniversary this year,” Kim Florence, president and general manager of Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack, said. “Its success is a tribute to the hard work that so many people put forth year after year, not only to support West Virginia craft brewers but also our crucial, local non-profit organizations. Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack has been proud to serve as title sponsor for this event since day one, and we look forward to another successful Brewfest.”

Proceeds from this year’s event will benefit Helping Heroes, Inc. No Veteran should have to worry about where they are going to sleep tonight. Yet in the Northern Panhandle of West Virginia, this exact scenario is more common than most might think. Helping Heroes is changing that. Founded in 2010, Helping Heroes, Inc. is a community-based, non-profit organization created and administered by Veterans and Veteran supporters. It provides support services and resources to homeless and near homeless, as well as any other Veterans in Brooke, Hancock, Marshall, Ohio and Wetzel counties in order to transition them to, or maintain self-sufficiency. Programs include supportive services for Veteran Families and Service Intensive Transitional Housing — both funded through the Veterans Administration, as well as the Emergency Shelter for Veterans and a Veterans Food Pantry. In addition, a core component of the program is helping veteran families connect to the services and benefits they have earned through information and referral services.

“Helping Heroes is extremely excited that the organizers of Brewfest 2024 have chosen to support our local veterans in need through their 10th anniversary event,” Helping Heroes, Inc. Chief Financial Officer and Co-founder Susan Harrison said. “Our veterans are the heart of the Ohio Valley, and we encourage everyone to come out to Brewfest and have a great time while helping our local heroes.”

Mountaineer Brewfest Founder and President Jeff Hayes said, “After 10 Years, it’s hard to believe where this idea started and what the Mountaineer Brewfest has become to so many in our community and beyond. This year the Mountaineer Brewfest committee is planning a very special celebration at the Heritage Port to commemorate our 10-year anniversary with some special activities.

An opening ceremony will take place at 4 p.m. on Saturday. On Friday, Aug. 16, there will be a West Virginia Craft BrewerReception sponsored by IC Cab from 7-9 p.m. at Waterfront Hall. During the event on Saturday, The Bridge Tavern will also be sponsoring “Smiley Ann’s Photo Van.” This is a 1978 Volkswagen Bus renovated as a full-service photo booth experience. There will be beer props and other fun items for every photo. Smiley Ann’s Photo Van will be located in our Beer Garden and will be available for pictures for free from 4-9 p.m.

To help bring another incredible entertainment lineup to this year’s Brewfest, McKinley Carter Wealth Services and McKinley Architecture & Engineering will be co-sponsoring the main stage.

Hayes thanked the many cosponsors of the event, as well as the many volunteers who help bring it together every year.

“There are over 100 local volunteers from the community, organizations and our charities each year that help the Mountaineer Brewfest run smoothly, and we can’t thank them enough for all they do,” said Hayes.

West Virginia Brewer samples available at this year’s festival include: Screech Owl Brewing (Bruceton Mills), Big Timber Brewing (Elkins), Weathered Ground Brewing (Cool Ridge), Mountain State Brewing (Thomas), Free Folk Brewery (Fayetteville), Greenbriar Valley Brewing (Maxwelton), Hawk Knob Appalachian Hard Cider (Lewisburg), Fife Street Brewing (Charleston), The Peddler Brewing (Huntington), High Ground Brewing (Terra Alta), Abolitionist Ale Works (Charles Town), Bridge Brew Works (Fayetteville), Berkeley Springs Brewing, Parkersburg Brewing, Old Spruce Brewing (Snowshoe), Short Story Brewing (Rivesville), Brew Keepers (Wheeling) and Stumptown Ales (Davis). The Brewfest also features a Beer Garden with more than 50 additional pours.

Entertainment this year will feature: the Clintones from Pittsburgh at 4:30 p.m., Wayland from Nashville at 6:30 p.m. and headliner Steal the Sky from Philadelphia at 8:30 p.m. Tyler Porter will perform during the VIP hour at 3 p.m.

Great local food will include selections from vendors The Gringo Tacos, Ideal Provisions, Mister Crabs, Paleonardos, R&G SmokeShack, Wood Fired Pizza Co. and Midge’s Hotdogs.

Mountaineer Brewfest tickets can be purchased at www.mountaineerbrewfest.com, www.facebook.com/MountaineerBrewfest, www.eventbrite.com or at Yourkovich & Associates, located at 246 Kruger St. in Wheeling.

More details and information will be shared on Mountaineer Brewfest Facebook and Instagram sites. Be sure to follow them for the latest festival news.

Mountaineer Brewfest festival hours are: VIP entry 3 p.m., general admission entry at 4 p.m., and the festival ends at 10 p.m. You must be 21 years of age with a valid photo ID to enter. This is a rain or shine event. Designated Driver tickets are also available. Visit www.mountaineerbrewfest.com or www.facebook.com/MountaineerBrewfest to purchase tickets and for more information.