As the sun, moon and earth align in syzygy, creating the supremely unique celestial event of a total eclipse, Redmond will be in the path of totality. For about 33 seconds on Aug. 21, according to NASA, the moon will cover the sun’s disk in the sky, casting its shadow over the community. The hype has been almost overwhelming, but for some Redmond community members the event will be secondary until after Aug. 19.

The Redmond Brewfest is planned for the eclipse weekend, Aug. 18 and 19, and has already eclipsed its creator JT Taylor’s expectations.

“I think Redmond is about to take the next into the brewing culture,” said Talyor, who is executive director of the brewfest. “I think Redmond is ready for its own brewfest.”

This will be the inaugural Redmond Brewfest, as well as Taylor’s first time coordinating a brewfest. What originally was expected to be a smaller event has blossomed into what will be Redmond’s biggest beer event of the year.

More than 75 craft breweries, cideries and wineries will fill up the softball fields at American Legion Park. More than 70 food and craft vendors will also be there, as well as live music in the amphitheater and activities for families and children. The event has grown much bigger than Taylor ever expected.

“All I can say is that the stars are aligning for us,” Taylor said. “But there isn’t a booklet that tells you how to put on a brewfest during a solar eclipse.”

Taylor has teamed up with several other people in the community, including Amber and Tim Herberger who own Beer Stop — the event’s title sponsor and host — as well as Jenni Garner, volunteer coordinator; Jeremiah Pedersen, vendor coordinator; and Jesse Sweetman, brewery coordinator. The team has been at work since the beginning of the year planning and organizing what could very well be Redmond’s largest event outside of the county fair.

“I think this is a wonderful experience,” Garner said. “I think everything I have learned makes being a part of the process worth it, and it will be an event that people talk about for sometime.”

But it isn’t about just putting on a good show. Taylor wanted to create an event specific to Redmond, that highlights the community’s unique qualities like the Dry Canyon and its voluntarism. He grew up in Redmond and wanted to give the community an event especially for the town he loves.

“If I can put my skills to use and give Redmond its own successful brewfest that people want to come to then I will do that,” Taylor said. He added that providing support to nonprofits in the community is an added benefit of being able to host an event.

Taylor and his team plan to donate a portion of the proceeds from the event to local nonprofits Redmond Experience Activity Connection Hub, a local youth organization; Redmond Area Parks and Recreation District; Rock of Redmond Wrestling Club and the Redmond Parks Foundation.

He said they have also focused on making the event as family friendly as they can with live music throughout both days. Friday will be headlined by Hillstomp, who start at 7:30p.m., and Saturday being headlined by Larry and His Flask at 8 p.m. The event will also have a children’s activity area. And the event is free to attend, with beer mug and four-ounce tasting tokens available to purchase online for a discounted price or at the event at full price.

While Central Oregon is swarmed with eclipse watchers during the weekend of the brewfest, making car traffic iffy, having the brewfest at American Legion Park makes it easy for community members to walk to the event on the Dry Canyon trail. Although, parking is available at the park, across the street at Nolan Town Center or a short walk away at Redmond High School. With the eclipse taking place the Monday after the brewfest, Taylor said he doesn’t quite know what to expect for the number of attendees.

“I don’t know where this is leading but it’s an awesome adventure and I enjoy it,” Taylor said.

Pressure from eclipse events has also strained the area’s event equipment inventory. Taylor said the multiple partnerships he has in the community have made the process a little easier, but it has been a whirlwind. Taylor has organized more than 70 mixed martial arts cage fights, so organizing isn’t brand new, but he said this is a completely different beast. That hasn’t diminished his confidence in the brewfest’s success.

Volunteer opportunities are available to pretty much anyone who can pour a beer. Requirements include being 21 or older, and volunteers can’t drink for at least four hours before, or during, their shift, which are five hours each. They have a goal of having one volunteer per tap. Volunteers receive an orientation 30 minutes before their shift on how to pour and general taste advisory to help out the beer tasters, as well as a brewfest T-shirt, mug and five tasting tokens.

“There is no requirement to know about beer, it’s just an opportunity to come meet people, have fun and enjoy the atmosphere,” Garner said.

The more volunteers who can work the event will allow more money to be donated to the nonprofits instead of hiring people to pour, Garner said. Nearly 50 percent of the necessary volunteers have been found. Sign-up is available on their website, and communication will be via text or email. Volunteers may be able to sign-up for a shift at the event, but it is recommended to sign-up beforehand.

“The volunteers are really what is making this event happen,” Garner said.

The event will have more than 300 different beverages available, made at breweries from California, Oregon and Washington.

The Redmond Brewfest is certainly going to be one of the largest events recently hosted in Redmond. Double down on the fact that the eclipse is bringing in a potential tens of thousands of new faces to Central Oregon, and just how big the Redmond Brewfest will be is yet to be seen.

— Reporter, 541-548-2185, cbrown@redmondspokesman.com