The Alumni Center was filled with the smell of burgers, the sound of live music and the sights of people from all over the Bowling Green community on Saturday afternoon. The second annual Red, White and Brew festival was in full swing, and everyone seemed to be enjoying the many different Kentucky beers that were featured. 

Red, White and Brew is the main fundraising event for the Young Alumni Council. This year there were ten different beers from local breweries such as White Squirrel Brewery and West Sixth Brewing. The ticket for the festival also included a complimentary meal.

The fundraising event benefited the Young Alumni Council Scholarship Fund, which provides scholarships for upperclassmen at WKU. The event was sponsored by White Squirrel Brewery and Alltech Lexington Brewing and Distilling Co.

Aimee Bettersworth, who has been on the council for about a year, said each person on the council works hard to make the event a success. Some members don’t who don’t live in Bowling Green, but each member does what they can to make the event happen.

Bettersworth said the event was a success, and she’s excited to keep it around in the future.

“It’s good to see a lot of alumni coming back as well as new faces and meeting their significant others for some of them,” she said. “Just having those conversations with people that we probably wouldn’t have been able to meet had this event not happened is great.”

Big Red could even be seen among the crowd, posing for pictures and livening up the crowd. Many different booths and red balloons lined the street as people sipped on their favorite drinks. Guests could enter raffles, play corn hole or head over to the photo booth as well.

Allie Sharp, the coordinator of Student and Young Alumni Engagement, said they hope to continue the festival for years to come due to its success this year and last year. Sharp has been involved with the Young Alumni Council for nearly two years.

Zach Wedding, who is the president-elect for the Young Alumni Council, said he loves the event and thinks it is an excellent way to get money for the scholarship fund. Wedding also received the young alumni of the year award this year.

Wedding said Sharp has helped to make the event special this year.

“She has really made the biggest difference,” he said.

He said this year they added promotional items with different vendors from around the Bowling Green area.

“I think people have really liked being able to have other little shops and things around Bowling Green that they can learn more about.”

Wedding said there is quite a bit of planning that goes on behind the scenes for the event. The members of the council are divided into subcommittees based on different things such as vendors and beers. He also said there is a lot of effort put into the registration process as well as the design and promotional items.

Dana Myers, who attended the event with her parents said she enjoyed the festivities. Myers attended the University of Kentucky, but currently lives in Bowling Green.

“It’s nice to try a little bit of everything to see what kind of beer you like; I know everyone has different tastes,” she said. “It’s just a nice, sunny day to be outside.”

Reporter Anna Lawson can be reached at 270-745-2655 and [email protected].