Apr. 11—POTTSVILLE — D.G. Yuengling and Son Inc. will follow up its Stars and Stripes Summer Celebration with another expansive event in 2024.

After the success of last year's Summer Celebration, which featured a headlining performance by country star Lee Brice, the company will focus its efforts on an event in 2024 to coincide with the brewery's 195th anniversary, said Yuengling spokesman Paul Capelli.

While there will be no summer celebration in 2023, the company remains committed to its collaboration with Brice and Team Red, White & Blue, he said.

"(Brice) continues to be the face of our Stars & Stripes campaign that celebrates America's patriotic holidays and gives back to America's veterans through our partnership with Team Red, White & Blue," Capelli said.

The inaugural celebration, held on July 9, was a daylong festival featuring musical acts, vendors and other activities.

Proceeds from the event went to Team Red, White & Blue, an Atlanta-based nonprofit that assists veterans with their physical and mental health.

The event drew about 24,000 people, which ranks among the largest crowds in the city's history.

Capelli said the attendance "doubled" that of the brewery's previous summer celebration, a 190th anniversary concert in 2019 that featured Better Than Ezra as the headlining act.

"This past summer's Pottsville Stars & Stripes concert reached new heights as a follow-up to the pre-pandemic launch event," Capelli said.

He added that the festival drew "high praise" from the Yuengling team, as well as from the company's community partners and community members who attended.

Brice, a singer-songwriter who has nine singles that reached No. 1 on Billboard Country Airplay, is an official Yuengling brand ambassador. He appears in Yuengling commercials and at venues, including the summer celebration, under a contract with the brewery.

Pottsville Mayor Dave Clews said that, while he will miss the addition of a festival this summer, he understands the challenges involved in planning for an event as big as the Stars & Stripes Summer Celebration.

"I'm glad to hear that they're planning to bring it back next year," he said. "I'm looking forward to another great event and bringing many people to the City of Pottsville."

He praised city officials for their efforts in coordinating last year's event.

"To pull off an event of that size with little or no problems is quite an achievement," he said.

Contact the writer: hlee@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6085