The fourth annual Festival of the Angry Bear will wake from hibernation with a roar Saturday, April 8 from 3 p.m. to 1 a.m. and take over Spring Street in downtown Marquette. The celebration put on by the Ore Dock Brewing Co. will showcase barrel-aged beer, live music, delicious food and community involvement.
“The day is crazy but in the best way,” said Lizzie Corser, Ore Dock tap room and events manager. “Not only do we get to bring out something new for our regulars to get excited about, but we also get to celebrate Marquette’s craft beer community with people traveling from all around the Midwest.”
Admission is free and open to the public. Anyone under the age of 21 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian from 3 to 7 p.m., and after 7 p.m. the festival is for 21 and older only.
The festival’s signature sour ales—Angry Bear and Plumber’s Crack will return alongside three new barrel-aged offerings, for a total of 16 specialty beer options poured from 34 taps on-site.
Because this year’s festival aims to be more sustainable and cut down on plastic waste, to enjoy some brews patrons need to purchase a reusable festival cup. Standard cups are $6, available at all festival bars and include the first fill off the tap list, or snag one of the limited-edition stainless steel tankards at the merchandise table for $25.
The festival tent will feature a steady lineup of musical performances from local and regional bands, emceed by Breakwall Comedy. Plus, enjoy food supplied by vendors like Steinhaus, Dia de los Tacos, Copper Crust Pizza Co. and Wild Blue BBQ until midnight.
Other events during the festival include a special Angry Bear edition of Science on Tap at 3 p.m. entitled “Lessons from the Hive: Sustainability, Alchemy and Community” with speaker Algomah Meadery, owner and honeybee advocate Melissa Hronkin. Also, the Marquette County Conservation District will host a Native Plants Station from 3 to 7 p.m.
The Tapping of the Angry Bear Parade will take place in the tent at approximately 5 p.m. with appearances by WhoDatBrass and the Upper Peninsula Shakespeare Festival. There will be a Laser Light Show at 9:15 p.m. sponsored by Travel Marquette.
Attendees can dress as their favorite critters for the Woodland Creature Costume Contest and be chosen to win some of the over $100 in prizes from downtown businesses. Top contenders will be handed a golden ticket by festival staff between 3 and 8 p.m. and asked to head to the stage for the final call at 8 p.m.
“The festival keeps getting bigger and bigger, and we’re always looking for ways to make it more exciting, sustainable and provide an experience reminiscent of some of the great festivals
in Europe.”
More information on the festival can be found at ore-dock.com.
