Lagunitas Beer Circus draws about 5,500 to Petaluma

Krista Cleland and Leah Martinez, both 36 and both from Petaluma, were shocked they didn't see more Rivertown residents Saturday at the Lagunitas Beer Circus.

One reason could be that the eclectic beer festival, held for the second time at the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds, has become wildly popular, attracting about 5,500 visitors. That's a far cry from the intimate crowd that converged on the event nine years ago when it was first held at the Lagunitas Brewing Co. brewery on North McDowell Boulevard.

“We're surprised we didn't run into more people from Petaluma,” said Cleland, who wore a clown costume with a strong French maid motif.

Like Cleland and Martinez, many who attended the beer festival were dressed in clown costumes, both friendly and scary. But there were also ringmasters, pirates, mimes, lions and lots of people wearing the 19th century Victorian garments that have become standard at events like Petaluma Rivertown Revival.

VISIT THE 2016 LAGUNITAS BEER CIRCUS WITH PD REPORTER MARTIN ESPINOZA

Most visitors, however, wore regular clothing and enjoyed cool weather that for most of the event was free of rain.

At times, people waited 25 minutes or more in long lines to sample the craft beer, which came from Lagunitas and 22 guest brewers from Sonoma and Marin counties. Tickets for the event sold out about two weeks in advance, said one organizer.

All proceeds will go to the Petaluma Music Festival, a summer concert that raises money for music education programs in Petaluma public schools, said Jeremy Grenert, head of field marketing for Lagunitas.

The money helps to counter school budget cuts that have dealt a serious blow to music programs across the county, said Gabe Kearney, a member of the Petaluma City Council. Music education, he said, can help form a crucial tie between students and their school.

“If you can make a connection for a child in school, either through art, music or theater, their likelihood of graduating increases exponentially,” he said.

Nate Loux, 42, of Petaluma, said the event was a little more “intimate” when it was held at the brewery. But organizers have done a good job at maintaining that hometown atmosphere, he said.

“The feel is very much the same, it's just bigger,” Loux said.

This year, organizers added a second, bigger big-top tent for more music acts. The smaller tent was used for burlesque and other sideshow entertainment, Grenert said.

Another big difference was the scheduling of the event. Last year it was held Aug. 16, and it was hot - 101 degrees, according to AccuWeather, about 19 degrees above the historical average.

Mother Nature kept the rain at bay for most of Saturday's event. It wasn't until shortly before the beer stopped pouring at 4 p.m. that a brief afternoon deluge began. Security guards, ready to empty the fairgrounds at 5 p.m., let the rain do most of the work.

You can reach Staff Writer Martin Espinoza at (707) 521-5213 or martin.espinoza@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @renofish.