First a race, then concerts and brewfest
Londonderry’s Old Home Days will be capped off by a 5K road race for beer enthusiasts, called the Rockland Trust Bank Boot Scootin’ Boogie 5K and Brewfest. The event is organized by Millennium Running. Barry Lewandowski is Millennium’s director of marketing.
“It starts with a 5K race,” he said, “that runs through one of Londonderry’s local neighborhoods, then comes back to the sports complex, where we have a bonfire, a concert and a brew fest.”
The event has been designed around relaxing, he said. Because of the length of the race, or rather its shortness, it is not a qualifier for other, more competitive races later in the season.
“This is just for fun. It’s a 5K. Some people are competitive and want to run really fast, but some just want to get out there with their families and stay active. You can run or walk,” Lewandowski said.
And unlike other, more serious races, which usually take place early in the day, Lewandowski said, this will be an evening event.
“It kicks off at 6:30 p.m. with the actual 5K,” he said. “The brewfest starts at 6:45, the bonfire we have at about 8, and the whole thing finishes off around 9:30 p.m.”
And again, unlike morning races, Lewandowski said, there will be beer.
“The brewfest is continuing to grow,” he said, “but right now we have more than 20 breweries and spirit brands that will be there. Some will actually have representatives from the brewery or from the brand and then others will just send products that the Londonderry Lions Club will be will be pouring, There will be opportunities for people to take a taste test, if you are part of the 5K or the brewfest, you’ll receive a little tasting glass that allows you to go around and and sample some of the different brands that are there.”
One of the breweries on hand will be the Rockingham Brewing Co. Ali Leleszi is its owner.
“For us,” she said, “because [this event is] right in our backyard, we get a lot of exposure. They have a ton of people who run that race, and maybe not all of them have heard of our brewery. So for us, just getting our beer out there to potential new customers is great for us, especially since we’re right next door in Derry.”
Leleszi said Rockingham Brewing will bring mostly summer beers to the brewfest.
“We’re sending County IPA, which is a New England-style IPA [India pale ale]; it’s a super-fresh batch. We’re sending Zeppelin, which is a raspberry lemonade sour ale. It’s super refreshing, with 4% [alcohol by volume], so it’s like perfect after a race. And then we’re sending two German lagers — Pig Knuckle Kölsch, which is like a light, easy-drinking, crisp kölsch, [and] Cool Hand Lager. That’s a Vienna lager, which is a bit more malty and toasty, but still light in body. We’re getting into that style for the fall.”
The event will also feature food trucks and food vendors, according to Millennium’s website, which recommends bringing cash. Vendors and food trucks include Hollis-based T-Roy’s BBQ, the Stark Brewing Company from Manchester, specialty coffee-vender Just The Sip, and a mobile ramen truck called GoGo 88.
Samantha Rae, who describes her music as “Roots driven, groove forward, emotionally honest, pop aware Americana music with classic country, rock with early R&B & soul influences,” will perform, according to her website, samantharae.com.
According to Millennium Running’s Lewandowski, this is the 15th year for the race.
“Probably about 1,500 people are going to be there,” he said. “Some people will be running, some just come for the concert and the brewfest, and others are there to cheer on the runners and want to be part of that. It’s a great community event.”
The Rockland Trust Bank Boot Scootin’ Boogie 5K and Brewfest
When: Saturday, Aug. 15, at 6:30 p.m. (Londonderry’s Old Home Days run from Tuesday, Aug. 11, through Saturday, Aug. 15).
Where: Londonderry
More: Register online at millenniumrunning.com, where you can also find tickets for just the concert and brewfest, without the 5K.
Featured photo: Courtesy photo.