By Anna Skinner
Many steps to move forward Grand Junction Plaza in downtown Westfield have taken place at city hall or in meetings behind closed doors. Jon Knight, co-owner of Grand Junction Brewing Co., hopes to change that.
“Rock the Junction,” an inaugural brewfest with a plethora of beer and music, aims to kick off the beginning actions of the construction for the plaza, as well as raise money for charities in the area.
“Rock the Junction is a craft beer and music festival, but the purpose behind it is several fold,” Knight said. “First and foremost is giving back, which is what we are most passionate about. We want to give back to the community, so we want to make sure this event is beneficial to the charities we designated.”
The charities that will receive support from the event are the Indy Honor Flight and the Westfield Youth Assistance Program.
“These charities are the first reason, that’s the biggest reason. The second thing it does is the people in Westfield have heard for so long that Grand Junction Plaza is coming, that downtown Westfield is going to be revitalized,” Knight said. “We view this as the kick starter. In fact, the city had some ideas for the plaza area starting in May, and they delayed that so we could do Rock the Junction. This is a way to start the development taking place with the plaza.”
Knight has partnered with Justin Knepp, founder of Indiana on Tap, a Fishers-based organization. Knepp has put on his fair share of brewfests and will be assisting Knight along the way.
“It was natural fit to come in and help them pull it off and make as successful as possible,” Knepp said. “Rock the Junction will introduce the plaza to a lot of people, even some Westfield residents haven’t been there, but think of all the surrounding communities that will be introduced to the park.”
The event begins at 1 p.m. May 14 in the area where Grand Junction Plaza will be constructed, bordered by Park, Mill, Jersey and Union Streets.
Approximately 25 breweries will be present, and three bands – The 78’s, The Angela McKinney Band and The Twin Cats – will be playing throughout the event.
“What separates this festival from others is there are a lot of craft beer tastings, but this is a craft beer and music festival,” Knepp said. “The focus will be on the craft beer and also on the great music, too, and that’s what separates the event from a lot of others. This will stand out because of the music element.”
Tickets range from $11.54 to $53.74. VIP tickets, with an early entrance time and additional beers, are also available.
Knepp and Knight plan on selling approximately 1,200 tickets. Unlimited beer samples with a complementary tasting glass as well as access to the live entertainment are included in ticket prices. Local food vendors will provide food for purchase.
“This brings people a reason to go downtown and gives an opportunity to come down to that area,” Knight said. “This also creates an annual event. That’s what we’re hoping for, that this is something that takes place every year. We lost Westfield Rocks the Fourth downtown, so this is one of the downtown events that can fill some of that space.”
To order tickets, or for more, visit www.eventbrite.com/e/rock-the-junction-craft-beer-music-festival-tickets-22459821932.
Breweries to come
- Grand Junction Brewing Co.
- Metazoa Brewing Co.
- Four Day Ray Brewing
- Bier Brewery
- Noble Order Brewing Co.
- Brewlink Brewing Co.
- Two Deep Brewing Co.
- Books & Brews
- Danny Boy Beer Works
- Wooden Bear Brewing
- Central State
- McClure’s Orchard
- Big Lug
- Tow Yard Brewing Co.
- Taxman Brewing Co.
- 450 North Brewing Co.
- Indiana City Brewing Co.
- St. John Malt Brothers
- Half Moon Restaurant and Brewery
- Twisted Crew
- Flat12 Bierworks
- Centerpoint Brewing Co.
- Chapman’s Brewing Co.
- Heady Hollow Brewing Co.
*This list was the present amount of breweries planned for Rock the Junction as of press time. To view an updated list, visit http://www.rockthejunction.com/breweries.html
