Dogfish Head preps for return of events in 2022

After nearly two years of having to cancel events due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Dogfish Head is set to bring back a number of its large functions in 2022, including the Dogfish Dash and the Weekend of Compelling Ales.

Beer and Benevolence Director Mark Carter said Dogfish was inspired by the Milton Chamber of Commerce’s Wicked Weekend held Oct. 30, which drew a larger-than-expected crowd.

“It seems like there’s a nice little resurgence of energy in Milton,” he said. “A lot of the events based on this property, we’re in the process of getting them back up.”

Speaking at the chamber’s Nov. 18 mixer, Carter said the time off due to the pandemic has allowed the company to rethink its events, to do them in a different way. 

“We may scale them back in size a little, which can lead to more quality in the event. We don’t want to cannonball in. We want to wade back into getting these up and going,” he said. 

Carter said a side effect of the pandemic is more things happening outdoors, and Dogfish wants to continue those activities. Among the events planned for a return in 2022 is the I.P.A. or I Pedal A Lot bike race. Carter said he liked the expanded outdoor seating at the Milton brewery that came as a result of the pandemic.

“I think the outdoor thing is here to stay. I think a lot of folks will extend their seasons outdoors. The shoulder season has grown,” he said.

Milton chamber preps for Holly Fest return

After the successful Wicked Weekend, which chamber officials said drew an estimated 2,000 people, the organization is set to bring back the Holly Festival from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 11.

The event will feature more than 75 vendors at Milton Fire Hall, Milton library and Goshen Hall. On the grounds of the Lydia Black Cannon Museum will be a Christmas village, a Dogfish Head beer garden, a Christmas garden and live entertainment. The Milton Garden Club will be selling fresh wreaths and other arrangements in front of the museum.

Inside the museum, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., there will be face painting, Santa’s workshop and of course, Santa himself. 

For more information, visit the chamber website at historicmilton.com.