Savor Lebanon draws a happy crowd

May 9—Saturday's Savor Lebanon Craft Beer, Wine and Spirits Fest drew a crowd of about 550 people from Boone County and beyond.

Rain held off until afterwards, allowing The Doo! Band and others to provide upbeat tunes while a "very happy, very engaged crowd," danced, visited, and sampled local beer, spirits and wines, promotor Justin Knepp, founder of On Tap Indiana, said.

The crowd packed restaurants around the downtown Lebanon square and filled Washington, Meridian and Main streets. There were two stages, plus a disc jockey, and no shortage of music or food on the streets.

One vendor served pork tenderloins and Monte Cristo sandwiches. Another sold pretzel necklaces the wearers could munch on throughout the day. And the Vodka Squeeze tent across the way served frozen fruity drinks, while Jakobi Lyons served handmade Indiana Whiskey.

The crowd sipped their drinks, played cornhole and sat in lawn chairs while they listened to bands, visited vendor tents, sang, laughed, and chatted.

They brought family, friends and dogs to the seventh annual 21-and-older party sponsored by the city and Indiana On Tap. The event began as an indoor venue but moved outside a few years ago.

"We got blessed with perfect weather," this year, Knepp said. "It was a little overcast so you didn't burn, and there was a breeze.

"We were very happy with this year's festival, and we hope the city is happy," Knepp said, adding that Indiana On Tap's multi-year contract with the city ended this year. "It's up to the city if they want to bring it back next year."

This year's event, like previous ones, brought out-of-state and out-of-county visitors, as well as those from throughout the county. One couple who came years ago liked Lebanon so much that they moved here, Knepp said, adding, "I think it's a special thing."