Cheers! Freeport's Pretzel City Brewfest wins prestigious award
An annual craft beer festival in Freeport has been recognized as the best event or festival in the state by the Illinois Office of Tourism.
Pretzel City Brewfest was awarded the best event or festival at the Illinois Governor’s Conference on Travel and Tourism on Monday.
Pretzel City Brewfest is held annually on the last Saturday in September and has drawn thousands of visitors to downtown Freeport in its ten years of existence.
The craft beer festival celebrates local, regional and national brands for a great tasting experience, along with games, food and a kinship for beer. The 2022 event was held in the Freeport Arts Plaza and welcomed 800 attendees, with more than 50 percent being outside a 30-mile radius of Freeport.
“We are humbled by this honor and so proud of the collaboration and efforts by volunteers and community organizations who continue to make this event a success. Freeport is a great place to not only attend a festival, but to visit and enjoy time with friends,” said Partnership Brand Director Nicole Haas. “Our efforts make a difference in attracting and introducing the Freeport area to new visitors.”
The organization said part of the reason for the success of the Brewfest is the event is always adding new attractions.
“Brewfest evolves each year with feedback from our breweries, attendees and the community. The commitment and innovation from our committee of volunteers is the key to each new attraction that keeps attendees coming back year after year,” said Partnership Events Coordinator Katie Gentz. “It is an amazing effort and a huge compliment to see those efforts recognized on a state level.”
The Illinois Excellence in Tourism Awards were presented to honor the most successful tourism marketing and advertising initiatives, from tourism destinations to attractions and innovators throughout the state who make Illinois shine.
Nine categories of tourism marketing awards were honored at the event with winners in categories for Budget A for budgets of $750,000 and above, and Budget B for organizations with budgets under $750,000.
Pretzel City Brewfest received the award in the Budget B category.
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Cheers! Freeport's Pretzel City Brewfest wins prestigious award
