Long Island Cheers to Blue Point's 20th Annual Cask Ales Festival

NEC Team • November 7, 2024

Celebrating 20 Years of Cask Fest!

 As the vibrant heart of Long Island came alive, Blue Point Brewery celebrated its 20th Annual Cask Ales Festival with a grand display of community spirit, craft beers, and live music.  This event marked two decades of bringing people together at the iconic Blue Point Brewery.  With the NEC team getting to collaborate with esteemed partners such as Event Pros NY and Preferred Events Long Island, the event was a testament to seamless event production and planning.

Blue Point Brewery - A Cultural Staple on Long Island

Blue Point Brewery has firmly established itself as a beloved cultural hub on Long Island, annually hosting the highly anticipated Cask Ales Festival along with several other yearly events. Located in Patchogue, New York, the brewery's expansive lot provides the perfect setting for this large-scale event, which draws in a substantial crowd. Known for its outstanding craft beers, Blue Point also excels in creating a vibrant community atmosphere that keeps attendees coming back year after year. The brewery's ability to organize such an engaging festival speaks volumes about its commitment to fostering local culture and bringing people together. From live music to interactive activities, the environment at Blue Point Brewery during Cask Fest is always buzzing with energy and excitement.

The Crowd - A Gathering of Locals and Visitors

The festival drew a diverse crowd of Long Island locals and visitors from far and wide, each eager to partake in the festivities. Notably among the crowd was Rob Franzese, also known as the "Real Life Peter Griffin," known online for his impersonations of the animated character from Family Guy. Franzese frequently appears at Blue Point's events and when asked about his excitement for the festivities he stated, "Smiles are my currency."

It was a lively celebration of community spirit, where attendees could enjoy craft ales, engage in fun activities, and listen to live music. Groups of friends, families, and beer enthusiasts mingled, creating a warm and inclusive atmosphere. The festival provided a unique opportunity for people to come together, fostering a shared sense of joy and camaraderie. The energy was palpable as people explored the various tents, participated in keg lifting competitions, and cheered for their favorite contestants. The laughter, conversations, and clinking of glasses were a testament to the event's success in bringing people together. From casual beer drinkers to serious connoisseurs, everyone found something to enjoy, making the 20th Annual Cask Ales Festival a memorable experience for all.

Setting The Scene - A Festive Atmosphere Under The Tents

Preferred Events transformed Blue Point Brewery's lot into a vibrant and festive atmosphere with their large, clean, and well-organized tents. These tents provided a welcoming space for breweries and vendors from various backgrounds to showcase their unique ales and engage with the community. Within the tents, attendees could sample a wide array of craft beers and participate in lively activities like keg lifting competitions. The excitement was palpable as cheers and roars echoed throughout the tents, with the day filled with jousting and bull riding activities. National Event Connection added a special touch by decorating the tents with colorful banners featuring fun slogans and graphics that enhanced the event's lively atmosphere. As the sun set, elegant bistro lights illuminated the area, creating a magical ambiance that allowed the festivities to continue well into the night.

The Essentials - A Seamless Production by Event Pros

The smooth execution of the event owes much to the meticulous efforts of Liam Gargiulo and his team at Event Pros. Their responsibilities included setting up the main stage for DJ Kaution and the Warped Tour Band, which involved ensuring high-quality sound and lighting. Additionally, they managed the distribution of sound throughout the property, allowing attendees to enjoy the music from the main stage all the way to the furthest tents. Event Pros also handled essential logistical elements such as barricades, ticketing, and security, ensuring the festival ran smoothly and safely. The sight of their staff in bright pink vests provided a reassuring presence, symbolizing their commitment to a well-organized event. By coordinating these critical aspects, Event Pros allowed attendees to focus on enjoying the festival's many offerings. Their expert handling of these logistics was vital in maintaining a high-energy atmosphere, ensuring that all attendees could immerse themselves fully in the festivities without any hitches.

Two guys setting up stage barricades

Bringing The Experience To Life - Enhancing the Fun with NEC

National Event Connection focused on elevating the festival atmosphere by adding interactive and immersive elements. Attendees could engage in thrilling games like inflatable jousting and test their skills on a mechanical bull, providing plenty of excitement and laughter throughout the day. For those looking to relax, comfortable lounge furniture was strategically placed, offering spots to enjoy drinks and food or simply rest between activities.


The creative team at NEC also added visual flair to the event. Customized photo opportunities allowed guests to capture memories against themed backdrops, while the entrance itself was decorated to match the festival's spirit, instantly welcoming attendees into the festive environment. Banners adorned the lampposts around the lot, each featuring unique designs and slogans that celebrated the essence of Blue Point's Cask Ales Festival.


Additionally, the brewery’s windows were wrapped with custom graphics, seamlessly integrating the brand's identity into the event. One of the standout features included boats converted into drink stations, complete with taps for serving Blue Point’s finest ales. These creatively modified boats not only served as functional drink stations but also as intriguing visual attractions, drawing attendees in and adding to the festival’s unique charm. Overall, these elements combined to create a dynamic and enjoyable atmosphere, ensuring that every attendee had a memorable experience.

Custom wrapped branded windows

Tasting the Event - Delightful Food and Drink Vendors

The festival wouldn't be complete without its impressive lineup of food and drink vendors.  

With over 100 unique beers from craft breweries around the country, attendees had no shortage of delightful options to explore. The food truck lane, featuring fan favorites like Rolling Ghost, provided mouth-watering offerings, enriching the overall experience. Every corner of the festival was filled with tempting aromas and flavors. Food trucks lined up, ready to serve a variety of delectable bites to pair with the diverse ales available. From gourmet burgers to artisanal mac and cheese, there was something to satisfy every palate. The culinary diversity added an extra layer of enjoyment to the festival, making it a feast for both beer lovers and food enthusiasts alike.

One of the highlights was the chance to interact with the vendors themselves, who were eager to share their craft and stories behind their creations. This personal touch added a unique dimension to the tasting experience, allowing attendees to appreciate the craftsmanship and passion that went into every dish and drink. With each vendor offering something special, the food and drink options were as much a part of the festival's charm as the music and activities, creating a well-rounded and immersive experience for everyone present.

The Sound of Cask Fest - Music That Set the Tone

The day kicked off with the beats of DJ Kaution, a staple in the Patchogue nightlife scene and beyond. His expert curation of music set the stage for the day's excitement, leading into the main performance by the Warped Tour Band.  With live performances also featuring bands like Krush, the music resonated with the crowd, who reveled in the nostalgia of pop-punk hits from artists like Fall Out Boy, Blink-182, and A Day To Remember. The headlining performance from the Warped Tour Band was a perfect conclusion to another successful Cask Ales Festival.

Conclusion - A Successful Collaboration

The 20th Annual Cask Ales Festival was a resounding success, thanks to the collaborative efforts of Blue Point Brewery and its dedicated partners. The seamless execution of the event highlighted the importance of teamwork and meticulous planning. Blue Point Brewery once again provided the perfect backdrop, reinforcing its status as a cultural mainstay on Long Island. The well-organized tents, engaging activities, and diverse vendor offerings ensured a memorable experience for all attendees.

The festival's atmosphere was electric, with locals and visitors alike coming together to celebrate. The variety of craft beers and delicious food options catered to all tastes, while the lively music set the tone for a day filled with joy and excitement. The thoughtful inclusion of interactive games and relaxing lounge areas created a balanced environment where everyone could find something to enjoy.

The contributions of Event Pros were invaluable, as they managed the essential logistics with precision. Their efforts in sound and stage setup, along with ticketing and security, ensured the event ran smoothly from start to finish. Preferred Events' expertise in setting up the festival's infrastructure provided a clean and inviting space for all vendors and participants. The bright pink vests of Event Pros' staff became a symbol of reliability and efficiency, assuring attendees that they were in good hands.

The massive tents from Preferred Events provided a perfect canvas for excitement for the crowd and decoration from the NEC team, adding an extra layer of immersion, These elements combined to enhance the overall experience, making the festival not just an event but a celebration of community and craft.

Looking back, the success of the Cask Ales Festival underscores the importance of strong partnerships in event production. The collaborative spirit among Blue Point Brewery, Event Pros, NEC, and Preferred Events was key to delivering an unforgettable experience. As we celebrate two decades of Cask Fest, we look forward to many more years of bringing people together to enjoy the best of what Long Island has to offer.

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