Summer event series kicks off  June 27 at TIEC

Published 10:00 pm Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Back by popular demand, Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) is hosting its “Festival of the Carolinas – Craft Beer Edition” again this Saturday, June 27, 2015 from 6-10 p.m. and for four straight Saturdays thereafter featuring Carolina-born craft beer, delicious food buffets and live band.

 The inaugural “Festival of the Carolinas” and TIEC grand opening on June 6 attracted an unprecedented 10,000 people and included a performance by Grammy-winning singer/songwriter Lee Greenwood who sang his legendary hit “God Bless the U.S.A.” as the Special Forces Association Parachute Team descended 8,000 feet with the American Flag, landing in the Grand Prix arena.

 Beer festival tickets include unlimited four-ounce pours, a pig roast dinner buffet by Mountain View Barbecue, souvenir cup and private restroom facilities. Tickets can be purchased online at www.festivalofthecarolinas.com. Only 500 beer festival tickets are available.

While the beer festival is limited to those ages 21-years-old and older, plenty of free, family fun is also planned for the evening as part of TIEC’s ongoing “Saturday Night Lights” series held on Grand Prix Saturdays from 6–10 p.m. Kids can enjoy free face painting, airbrush tattoos and rides on a hand painted Venetian carousel, plus other family entertainment including live music, sky-high ballet performances by the Asheville Aerial Artists, eclectically clad stilt walkers, magicians, jugglers and more. Admission to TIEC and parking are free and open to the public.

 Come hungry! Food and restaurant options are varied and bountiful at TIEC and deciding will be the challenge. Choose between Roger’s Diner, a 50s-inspired diner serving up burgers, shakes, salads, breakfast all day and more, or The Legends Club Grille delivering a first-class dining experience and gourmet menu items prepared with locally sourced ingredients. Visit one of the many other onsite restaurants offering sushi, summer treats, coffee, or a vendor cart selling carnival favorites like frozen lemonade, popcorn, cotton candy and ice cream.

The evening culminates with the $127,000 Adequan Grand Prix CSI3* to be held in the George Morris International Arena. The week’s largest show jumping competition is held under international guidelines of the Federation Equestre International (FEI), the sport’s international governing body.

The “Festival of the Carolinas – Craft Beer Edition” and “Saturday Night Lights” events are set for June 27, July 4, July 11 and July 18, 2015 from 6 –10 p.m. Schedule and events are subject to changes. To purchase beer festival tickets online, visit www.festivalofthecarolinas.com.

 – Submitted by Michelle McConnell Yelton