By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Bike Brew Q was started in 2016 to raise awareness and funds to help find a cure for cystic fibrosis. The ninth version of the event will take place on Saturday, July 27 at the Expo I building west of Great Bend. Event Chair Ryan Fairchild said 100 percent of proceeds will again benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
"I have a cousin, a brother-in-law, and my wife all have cystic fibrosis," he said. "There have been great strides, in just the last five years even, with medications for cystic fibrosis. It's because of events like ours and events that the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation puts on to raise money to have these different manufacturers and different research companies go through and try to figure out what we can best to do to help treat this disease and give some longevity to the people we love."
As of Monday, 19 breweries had signed up for the event. The day will also feature 20 and 40-mile road and gravel rides, and a mountain bike race at Lake Barton. Food trucks open at 11 a.m. that Saturday, and the Craft Brew Expo begins at 1 p.m.
"We're moving it to Expo I instead of Expo II to try and keep things a little better and keep things a little cooler," Fairchild said. "We've got all the Portacools we can get to try and keep everybody cool. We have live music with 80 Proof Alice, and we've got The Spread Catering and Tacos del Sol out there this year."
Fairchild said an original goal of Bike Brew Q was to raise $100,000 for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in 10 years. With a year to go, that fundraising goal is well within sight.
"We're absolutely blown away," he said. "Nelson Stone is our presenting sponsor right now, and he holds the record for being the presenting sponsor for the most years. We appreciate all of our past presenting sponsors, but we'd definitely like to give a shoutout to Nelson for sticking by us and believing in the event and the purpose.
"We can't wait to do 10 years. Although we want everyone to come out this year as well, we promise to make the 10-year an absolute blowout and show you what we can really do with throwing an event and raising money for a good cause."
Various ticket options are available online. CLICK HERE to purchase tickets for this year's Bike Brew Q.