There’s going to be more beer than wine at the third annual New Kensington Wine and Beer Festival this Saturday, but the alcohol isn’t the only attraction.

Returning after being canceled in 2020 because of the covid pandemic, the Alle Kiski Strong Chamber event will also feature food trucks, vendors, music and entertainment from 5 to 9 p.m. on Fifth Avenue between 9th and 11th streets.

“There should be something there for everybody,” chamber Executive Director Lynda Pozzuto said. “Even if you don’t drink beer and wine, come out anyway.”

Being held on the 20th anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks, the festival will start with a tribute including remarks by New Kensington Mayor Tom Guzzo and a bagpiper playing “Amazing Grace” on the stage outside Voodoo Brewery.

About 60 vendors in total are expected to be there.

A beer tent is new this year. Instead of being set up individually, most of the beer will be in one location. Full glasses will be sold.

A tasting ticket, which costs $20, will serve as the festival’s age-verification system. A ticket is required to be able to buy full glasses, Pozzuto said.

All who buy a tasting ticket will have access to unlimited tastings from vendors, along with one full glass of beer of their choice from the tent for free, she said.

Tickets are available in advance on EventBrite. They will be sold for cash only at the event, and only cash will be accepted at the beer tent.

A portion of proceeds from the beer tent will go to the New Kensington Recreation Commission.

More than a dozen food vendors will be there. Pozzuto said she had four new food vendors sign up Tuesday.

“It’s going to keep changing right up to the event, I’m sure,” she said. “People are just excited and they want to be part of it.”

When the festival started in 2018, the chamber chose to hold it in New Kensington in recognition of the growth in the city and its downtown. Since then, that growth has accelerated, with old buildings being restored, new ones being built and several new businesses opening despite the pandemic.

“There’s a lot happening in New Kensington,” Pozzuto said. “The excitement is still there and the excitement is still building. “Whatever they’re doing, it’s working.”

Event sponsors are Sweet Tillies, ALKAB Contract Manufacturing Inc., Trovo Co., Allegheny-Kiski Postal FCU, and New Kensington Floral.

Pozzuto thanked the city for its cooperation in hosting the festival.

“The City of New Kensington is wonderful,” she said. “They welcome us with open arms every year. Anything we ask for to make the event successful they are more than willing to do and help us with.”

Festival participants

Scheduled to be on tap at the beer tent are beers from Four Seasons, Hofbrauhaus, Sly Fox, 1911, Stonebridge Seltzer, Ithaca Beer Co., Hop Farm, 412 Brewery, Strange Roots and Dancing Gnome.

Wineries and distilleries with booths will include Country Winery and Vineyards, Unico Vino, Crooked Creek Distillery, Pittsburgh Winery, Bygone Wines, Voodoo at the Ritz, Wigle Whiskey, Stateside Vodka, and Tattiebogle CiderWorks.

Food vendors will include Revival Chili, Aunt Kellie’s Cookies, Knead Community Cafe, Sweet Tillies, Fat Cat’s Subs, Grateful Smoke BBQ, Kimi’s Konfections, Taqueria el Pastorcito, The Boonseek Korean Street Foods, PGH Halal Truck, El Gusto Criollo International, Baires Grill, Sweet Tooth Baking, Rittner’s Farmhouse Bakery, Toni’s Fry Shack, The Kabob Mob Food Truck, Del Vecchio’s Sausage & Fries, and Waffles Pizza.

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