By Adam Studzinski
BLOOMINGTON – The Bloomington-Normal Jaycees have decided which charities will be benefiting from this year’s Bruegala Beer Festival.
Spokesman Jeremy Kelley told WJBC a total of six groups will receive proceeds from the festival: Community Health Care Center, Wish Bone Canine Rescue, Marcfirst, Autism McLean County, Bike BloNo and Heartland Head Start.
“We originally had four spots. We had 20 charities apply this year, which was outstanding. (It) made our night long, very difficult, but we were able to chop it down,” said Kelley. “The membership decided to take those four spots, divide one up into three minor charities, and have three major charities so we can give money to six groups, besides the Jaycees.”
Kelley said it was not easy to narrow the field.
“Jaycees will still work with a lot of those groups. Even if we can’t help through Bruegala we’ll help through other means,” he said.
Podcast: Listen to Kelley’s full conversation on WJBC.
Bruegala has a new location this year. The event will be held at the Corn Crib, rather than its traditional place in the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts.
“We have a much bigger venue. We were starting to hear the last couple years that we were getting a little tight,” said Kelley. “BCPA has a great facility, but the crowds were getting bigger and bigger.”
Normal CornBelters General Manager Mike Malliet said he’s honored to be able to host Bruegala at the Corn Crib.
“We’re excited to roll up our sleeves and get to work,” said Malliet. “Having that even there is a real marker for us, too, because we always said it’s not just baseball we want to use the Corn Crib for. We want to have it be an event center for the community as well.”
Bruegala will take place Aug. 28-29.
Adam Studzinski can be reached at [email protected].
