The four Bs – brew, balls, bags and bands – will combine to make the Beverage Garden, located on N. Wilson just north of the courthouse square, “the place to get your groove on and quench your thirst,” according to Rod Kleitsch of the Bell Tower Festival steering committee.
The party starts Friday, June 13, at 7 pm when gates to the Beverage Garden open. Friday night will feature a mega beer pong tournament (beer pong played with tennis balls and 5 gallon buckets) starting at 7:30, with registration between 7 and 7:30. There is no entry fee for participating in the mega beer pong tournament, and prizes will be awarded to the top three teams.
Shortly after 8 pm, the Beverage Garden will start to heat up when the Burnin’Sensations from Ames take the stage. The Burnin’Sensations will keep the crowd moving with an eclectic mix of the best pop, rock and dance music spanning five decades, playing everything from the Beatles to Neil Diamond to Lady Gaga. Wild Rose Entertainment is sponsoring Burnin’ Sensations.
The fun continues Saturday afternoon, June 14, as the Beverage Garden reopens at noon featuring Happy Hour all afternoon and a free show by Planet Rock from Fort Dodge set to kick off around 1 pm. Planet Rock plays classic rock and pop covers by artists as diverse as Journey and No Doubt.
After a brief intermission, the Beverage Garden will reopen at 7 pm Saturday night. Jumpstarting things Saturday night will be a Beverage Garden bags tournament. Registration for this event is free and will take place from 7 to 7:30 p.m., with the tournament starting at 7:30 p.m. Prizes will also be awarded to the top three teams participating in this event.
Then, shortly after 8 pm, the Beverage Garden goes big time, as Big Time Grain Company from Kansas City hits up the Beverage Garden stage to get the party going with a big time mix of favorite rocking country and classics by names such as Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, Pearl Jam and the Black Crowes.
Happy Hour prices will be available both nights until 9 pm. Beer tickets will be sold for $1 off the regular price, and tickets purchased before 9 can be used later in the evening.
Co-chairs of the Beverage Garden are Kleitsch and Adam Pedersen.