For many people, April signals the beginning of spring. For Riannon Bardsley, executive director of the Max Higbee Center, it also means getting to host April Brews Day.
The annual beer festival helps fund the Max Higbee Center, a grassroots organization providing recreational opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities in Bellingham.
This year's April Brews Day takes place Saturday, April 26, at the Downtown Waterfront in Bellingham. It will feature a variety of over 50 local Washington breweries and cideries, such as Kulshan Brewing Company and Beach Cat Brewing, live country music from County Rose and Baby Cakes and many local food vendors.
"Everything that we raise from this event helps to keep the lights on, make sure that we can continue to get out and do adventures and partner with different folks," Bardsley said.
Events like April Brews Day support activities such as kayaking, yoga and dancing for members at the MHC to participate in. It also contributes to full scholarships the organization provides to new members in need, said Bardsley.
Local Bellingham and Washington vendors are key contributors to April Brews Day's success. With costs rising, it is becoming increasingly difficult for the MHC to fund the event. Local breweries that generously donate their brews ensure April Brews Day continues year after year, said Bardsley.
"I think people don't maybe understand all of the logistics that are costly, and so I think that that would surprise people," said Bardsley. "That we don't get a significant amount of money from this event at this point.”
Boundary Bay Brewery is a Bellingham brewery and one of the founders of the first April Brews Day that took place in 2001. Janet Lightner, co-owner and manager at Boundary Bay, said supporting events like April Brews Day is not about the money. Instead, it is about collaboration and community.
"It's important because Bellingham, unlike maybe some communities, is driven by nonprofits and community events," Lightner said. "By supporting them, it keeps our community vibrant and healthy and diverse and functioning."
Kaitlin Gobeille, taproom manager at Beach Cat Brewing, shared how being able to participate in an event like April Brews Day is rewarding not only because they are supporting the MHC, but also because it provides a space for small businesses to build relationships with other local companies and potential customers.
"[In] the craft brew industry, I feel like a lot of the foundation, in general, is very community-focused, and we like to collaborate and just have a good time with everyone," said Gobeille.
Matt Brawner, co-owner of Ovn Wood Fired Pizza, recognizes the benefits that come when community members, local businesses and an event like April Brews Day collaborate.
Brawner sees it as a win-win effort: the community comes together, local businesses gain exposure and the MHC gets the support and funds it needs to provide for individuals with developmental disabilities.
"It's just so great when different organizations in town advocate for and support efforts to support people in our community who need it," said Brawner. "As a restaurant, we have opportunities to help, if it's donating food or gift certificates or whatever. So this event coming up is a big one for us, a big one for the community, and we're stoked to be a part of it."
After partaking in April's Brews Day, Bardsley hopes people can connect the event with the MHC and their mission for increasing accessibility for adults and children with disabilities, whether it be through a more active role such as volunteering or donating or simply being aware of the organization's purpose.
"I hope they feel a little more connected to the mission of the agency," said Bardsley. "That's been one of the challenges of this event, not logistically, but in terms of making sure that people understand why they're coming."
April Brews Day 2025 is a 21+ event this Saturday from 3-8 p.m. You can purchase tickets online or on the event day for an additional $10; ticket options include VIP or general admission, with VIP granting early admission.
Julieta Larios (she/her) is a city life reporter for The Front this quarter. She is a second-year journalism major on the public relations track. When she is not working on a story, she likes to hangout with her friends and loved ones, take walks around Bellingham, and listen to her favorite podcasts. You can reach her at julietalarios.thefront@gmail.com.
