ROCKINGHAM: Richmond County almost didn’t have a beer event last year.
There are two this year, and both have craft beers and fast cars.
Rockingham Dragway and Richard Robinson, owner of Double Vision, are putting on the first Brew’palooza this weekend.
Robinson said that many people came up to him last year after the Richmond County Chamber of Commerce canceled Hoptoberfest. The event had been held every year from 2015 to 2022, with the only year it wasn’t held was 2020 because of limits related to the pandemic.
The owner of the bar said he would try to put something together until Richmond County Economic Development announced that Hops and Hot Rods at the Rock (Rockingham Speedway) would take its place.
Robinson said, “I wanted to bring it back my own way, with German food and beer, because I love craft beer and have been to many beer festivals.”
Robinson didn’t rush, so he took more time to plan it out.
In addition to running a bar that opened in May 2019, Robinson started making his own beer. This was inspired by his time in Germany as an Army officer.
Late last year, Robinson started selling Bent Rail. You could try it out at his own bar or at Axe to Grind.
At the Brew’palooza this weekend, Robinson’s beer won’t be on tap, but there will be beers from other North Carolina breweries, such as Diatribe Brewing Co. in Asheville, Southern Pines Brewing and Rail House Brewery in Moore County, New Grass Brewing Co. in Shelby, Front Street Brewery in Wilmington, Divine Barrel Brewing in Charlotte, Aviator Brewing Company in Fuquay-Varina, and Toasty Kettlyst in Gibsonville.
Harmons Deutsche Küche will be there with schnitzel, sausages, and other things from Bavaria for the German food.
“Having that event on the front lawn of the Dragway is a great way for people to enjoy more local entertainment,” said Dan VanHorn, co-owner of the Dragway. “If you go to the festival by itself, it will be everything you’d expect from a place to try new things.”
People who buy a general admission ticket to the event get a 12-ounce pilsner glass, two full pours, and as many 4-ounce samples as they want. They can buy more if they want to. People who have a VIP ticket will get three free full drinks.
The event will have music by the Low Down Dirty Heathens, who will play both covers and originals of southern rock songs. Ten bands competed in the Rock Around and Find Out Battle of the Bands at the Dragway this summer. The Eagle Springs group was one of them.
People who buy tickets for Brew’palooza can also enter the yearly Super Chevy Show at the Rock, but not the other way around.
“Giving those ticket holders free entry into Super Chevy was a natural addition to the festival, which we hope to turn into another huge event every year,” VanHorn said.
VanHorn said that the Super Chevy Show is like a family rite and an important event for the Dragway.
“When Al Gennarelli and I (Van Horn) took over the track 22 months ago, it already had a strong base for events, but we didn’t know how important Super Chevy was to that,” Van Horn said.
“Richmond County Tourism Director Meghann Lambeth casually told me that my expectations were way too low based on how the event had gone in the past,” VanHorn said. “She did a great job as the sponsor of the car show and head of event registration. She also did a great job promoting the event through Tourism.”
VanHorn said, “We now know that it will always have that energy and support going forward.” The show in 2023 was one of the best events of the year.
Dieffenbach GM Superstore in Rockingham will be the event’s title sponsor again this year.
VanHorn said, “Jeff Dieffenbach immediately backed the Super Chevy Show’s refocus with a multi-year deal that solidified what is sure to be another must-attend.”
A test and tune is held on Friday night to start the three-day game. The car show and swap meet will happen on Saturday. There will be more than 80 awards given out in 30 groups.
Yes, there will be drag racing. On Saturday, two jet funny car races between Douthit Motorsports drivers will be exciting. On Sunday, the race will go on.
On Saturday night, the Blewett Dam Band will also play.
Lambeth said, “Super Chevy is one of the most traditional things at the Rock.” “The Bowtie Bash is something I look forward to every fall because it’s where I meet new people from all over North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, South Carolina, and Georgia.”
You can buy tickets for both shows online or at the door. From 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Brew’Palooza is open. Over Chevy’s gates open at 9 a.m. on Saturday and 8 a.m. on Sunday.
Richmond County Economic Development will also hold the second annual Hops and Hot Rods on November 2 at Rockingham Speedway, which is just across the street.
The annual Raffle at the Rock will also be held at this event, which will also be the site of the fourth of five races in the speedway’s Crown 9 Series.
After some time, the RO will have more on Hops and Hot Rods.