SLF’s Harvest Fest fundraiser always starts off with a bang – this year started off with an alarm. If you dropped by early on Saturday for Session I, you were likely greeted with sirens and flashing lights. Luckily, everyone’s panic was quelled with the news that it was, indeed, a false alarm, set off by the Armory Café’s kitchen, and the only injured party was a very burnt batch of cookies.

False alarm, folks!

The fire department arrived just in time to set everything right, and Harvest Fest Session I started right on schedule.

The perk of being there when the doors opened was no lines. However, the downside was that my friend and I, ignoring the fact that we had a full four hours to sample at our leisure, tried to eat and drink everything in sight as fast as could. After getting about two thirds of the way through all the restaurants, we had to take a break. In the words of one wise tweeter, it was time for “HarvestNap2011.”

This year’s event brought together several of the Somerville staples we know and love, but we were also introduced to some new kids on the block. Five Horses Tavern, barely a month old, flaunted its extensive beer list, and the pork belly taco they served, a regular menu item, was a fan favorite. 3LittleFigs, a Mediterranean-style bakery opening on Highland this month, wowed at Session I by a.) being adorable and b.) serving up a mouthwatering Local Squash & Yogurt Baby Bundt Cake. At Session II, Foundry on Elm speakeasy project Saloon finally gave us a little detail behind all the mystery while sampling a chicken liver pate with beet jam. Speaking of beets, Pizzeria Posto had a delicious fall twist on a classic with their beet bruschetta. Mmm, fall in New England, so delicious.

Cannolis from Pizzeria Posto, yum!

Oh, and there was beer. Lots and lots of local suds. With seven breweries, one cidery, and a mustachioed baby (courtesy of Pretty Things), each offering 3-4 options, there were nearly 30 different drafts to try. Newcomer Clown Shoes was a hit, and we hope they’ll be joining us again next year! The room layout interspersed the breweries and the restaurant tables, so everyone got to play amateur food/beer pairer. Attendees got to sample the whole brew rainbow – brewers brought everything ranging from Belgian whites to hardy porters.

The entertainment this year was fantastic. Hugh McGowan rallied his local musician buddies Tom Bianchi, Todd Russell and Ruth Anzalone of The Wild Sea, Jenee Halstead, Mike Hastings, and Kenneth Budka for an awesome collaborative set during Session I. Catch McGowan at The Burren open mic night on Tuesdays. Session II rendered the Armory unrecognizable, as DJ Die Young filled the enormous space with his electro set, accompanied by the light show of Boston Hoop Troop, doing things with hula hoops I didn’t know were possible. Then, of course, the dancing began, as the taps started to kick and all that beer began to set in.

Hugh McGowan, playing his own set to close Harvest Fest 2011

We ensured that Harvest Fest Tweeters will never again be satisfied unless tweeting via giant screen with a room full of people. Check out the tidbits you missed with #HarvestFest2011. And be sure to keep checking our Facebook for your photo booth pics! Here’s a taste:

Look! Thar be some local booty!

All in all, we had a really great turnout this year (Session II door tickets sold out in under 10 minutes!), and we ended up raising over $10,000 to fund our local mission. Thanks so much to everyone who came out to support SLF and thanks to all the hard work and contributions from the restaurants, breweries, entertainment, and volunteers! We’ll see you again next year!

If there’s one thing I think we can all agree on, it’s that Local knows how to have fun. The local movement bridges so many complex and diverse issues, but at the heart of it all, we manage to prove that doing the right thing with your money and for the community is not a chore. Local is so simple and makes so much sense that sometimes we don’t even realize how easy it is to support.

Harvest Fest is the culmination of everything we’re about here at SLF. We get to advocate for our cause, bring together community members and local businesses to educate each other, and have a hell of a good time, all without the pretension. This is tasting event/fundraiser gala done SLF style, and that means craft beer, a photo booth, bumpin’ DJ beats for your booty-shaking pleasure.

So rejoice Somervillians! Meet local proprietors new and old, sample the fruits of their labors, share a drink with some good friends, or maybe make some new friends. Most importantly though, remember to have fun and, of course, spread the local love!

Comment below and share your past Harvest Fest memories and what you are most excited about this year!

Buy your Session I tickets online now, or try your luck at the door at either session. See y’all tomorrow!

Harvest Fest 2011 - We can't do it without you!

We’ll keep this blog post short & sweet.  Harvest Fest 2011 is lining up to deliver the awesomesauce, but to make it all it can be, we’ll need the help of about 20 volunteers

Here are the volunteer roles we need help with:

• Tickets/Door/Greeting
• Working with our Local  Restaurants at their Tables
• Circulating in the crowd with merchandise and information
• Setup, Breakdown & Cleanup

In addition to our undying local <3, Harvest Fest volunteers will receive:

• A Harvest Fest T-Shirt (first time we’ve done these for hfest, you’ll have one!)
• Two souvineir tasting glasses identifying you as the Super Supporter that you are.
• At least an hour to roam at the event, and sample from our vendors, for free!

If you’d like to volunteer, please fill out this form

<3
SLF

Things are heating up for Harvest Fest 2011.  Tickets are flying way ahead of last year (this event will sell out….we’re just letting you know), we’ve got exciting restaurant announcements for later this week, but today following up our great drink local piece on the blog from Meghann Ackerman, we’re pleased to announce and detail 3 local breweries joining Pretty Things at this year’s festivities.

Welcome to the party Clown Shoes!

Clown Shoes is an up and comer in the craft beer world, starting originally in neighboring Arlington, MA.  Their founder, Gregg Berman states on their website: “Our mission now is to produce beer without pretension while being free and a little crazy. We hope you enjoy the beers and this site.”

We’re excited to welcome Clown Shoes to Harvest Fest, and expect that guests will leave knowing exactly who they are.

Check out their beer list on their website.

Rapscallion <3's Local

Raspcallion Brewery has been a Harvest Fest hit for two years running, and we’re sure to see a repeat performance this year.  Rapscallion makes Local a part of everything they do, and market their local-ness as well and as much as any craft brewer.  We love that, because it grows the movement and grows their business.

From an email from co-founder Cedric Daniel “We are thrilled to be part of it again. As you know this kind of event is right up our alley, all things local.”

Hi Neighbor! Fest will be back this year...if they can keep it in stock!

Naragansett beer will also be back this year at Harvest Fest.  Last year, they debuted their new concoction, Fest, at Harvest Fest (oh, hello, easy marketing alignment) and it should be back again this year…if they still have some left.  According to their rep, Fest is moving like crazy, and it makes sense.  Local. Affordable. Delicious.  Seems about right to us.

We’ll keep rolling out the breweries, restuarants and more details about Harvest Fest in the coming weeks….and it will move remaining tickets fast, so why not get yours now and make sure you get in on the awesome?

Love one of these brands or their beers?  Let us know in the comments.  Cheers!