By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
Tickets are on sale now for the eighth-annual Brews on the Bricks in downtown Hays.
Several changes have been made to this year's event, said Julie Rider, Downtown Hays Development Corporation executive director.
The location has moved, she said, but not far.
For the past seven years, Brews on the Bricks has been held on 10th Street on the west side of Main Street.
"A lot of apartments have opened on that side, so it's a little harder to block that street," Rider said.
"Now that we have the beautiful Downtown Pavilion, our board decided to move the event to that beautiful structure and take advantage of some of the wonderful features available to us at Union Pacific Plaza."
Since the event is on a Saturday during the downtown market season, the starting time has been moved back to later in the afternoon.
"Previously, we got underway at 12:30 p.m. This year, our Brews and Bites VIP guests will be allowed to enter at 3:30 p.m. to take advantage of the first tastes and the shorter lines for that first hour and a half."
A new VIP lounge with special foods will also be accessible during the event.
VIP guests will also have access to a safe ride home courtesy of Diamond Luxury Limos.
Other perks will be announced in the coming weeks and can be seen on the Downtown Hays Facebook page.
"As always, we'll have a great group of regional brewers there with sampling from 30-40 different labels," Ryder said.
"There's a great camaraderie among the brewers. They know each other from different events. It's a fun atmosphere."
General admission attendees can enjoy the event from 5 to 8 p.m.
There will also be food vendors for the general admission attendees, live music, games and activities, and a raffle.
"Our Brews app will also be back with shopping discounts," she said. "Lots of great things happening."
Eagle Radio is the presenting sponsor.
VIP tickets are $100, and general admission tickets are $50. You can purchase tickets online now at downtownhays.com.
"Tickets are selling quickly," Rider said, "particularly the VIP.
"We'll have a reduced number of those. Usually, we have 300; this year, we'll have 200, so they're going to go quick."
Editor's note: Hays Post is a division of Eagle Radio.