NOTE: “Today” and “tonight” mean Friday, July 26. “Saturday and Sunday refer to July 27 and 28.
PORT TOWNSEND — An all-day celebration of local music and beer will take place Saturday to raise funds for East Jefferson County families who are dealing with a cancer diagnosis.
The event, the fifth annual Brewfest, runs from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Port Townsend Brewing Co., 330 10th St., adjacent to the Boat Haven.
Tickets for a raffle will be awarded with each beer purchase, and the brewery will give half of the day’s profits to the cause, said brewery owner Kim Sands.
The day includes several fundraising activities and is a benefit for the Edensaw Community Cancer Foundation, which was formed in 2008 as a way to assist those diagnosed with cancer.
“We want to help people who have run out of money or lost their insurance due to cancer,” said Jim “Kiwi” Ferris, who heads the foundation.
“A lot of people are flat broke during treatment,” he said.
“We don’t care what they spend the money on. They can spend it on whatever they need.”
Ferris said that after bringing Relay For Life to Port Townsend, he created the foundation to use funds locally instead of having them go to another location.
Over five years, the foundation has distributed about $170,000, with few applicants being turned down, Ferris said.
During the day, local favorite Locust Street Taxi will serve as host and will be onstage most of the time, running the raffles in addition to performing.
Food by Dos Okies Barbeque will be served throughout the day.
“They were here last year for this, and it was great,” Sands said.
“We were lucky to get them this year because they are very popular.”
A variety of prizes will be raffled off to support the cause, Sands said.
The brewery has hosted the event since it began in 2008, and proceeds have benefited cancer sufferers and their families during that time, she said.
Edensaw Woods co-owners Ferris and Charlie Moore were recipients of the 2013 Heart of Service Award, given out in May, partially for their efforts with the foundation.
Moore died of cancer March 11 of this year, so his award was accepted by his wife, Gayle.
“There are so many people here with heart, which is what makes this community strong,” Ferris said at the ceremony.
“Those of us who are honored here today represent the tip of the iceberg of what is available here, and it is important that we get young people to stand up and do the same.”
For more information about the Edensaw Community Cancer Foundation or to apply for assistance, phone 360-344-4646 or email kiwi@edensaw.com.
Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
