The first Eastern Oregon Beer Festival takes place this Saturday, June 21, in La Grande, at the Union County Fairgrounds. 15 regional craft brewers will be pouring. If you have missed out on buying a tasting ticket for the event (Only 500 were available and they sold out quickly!), there is still plenty of opportunity for fun and socializing throughout the day. And, admission is free!

Plan to attend the after party, from 8 to 10 p.m., where four additional kegs from area craft brewers will be served for $4 a glass. Free soda and water will be available throughout the event.

The festival opens at noon, with food, craft and merchandise vendors offering a wide array of choices. Live music begins at 1 p.m., with performances by Chrome Country, Saigon County, Promised Land, and The Wasteland Kings. Listen to Sum People at the after party.

Among the vendors is the Potter’s Gift House & Gallery, a popular La Grande specialty shop located at the corner of 6th and Penn, downtown. Resident potter Bob Jensen has created a selection of unique and beautiful ceramic growlers and mugs, just for the event. Pottery by Jensen, a former art teacher at La Grande High School, is frequently chosen for wedding and special occasion gifts. The Potter’s Gift House & Gallery also features the work of 20 other local artists, along with a wide selection of home décor, lifestyle and collectible items. Stop by for a preview.

The beer festival is the first to be presented by the La Grande Main Street Downtown Association. Given its early, pre-event success, they hope to expand it in 2015 to include more breweries and a greater number of tasting tickets. Go to www.eobeerfest.org for more information and a list of the participating breweries. It is the goal of the La Grande Main Street Downtown to make this a signature event of Eastern Oregon. Proceeds from the event go to community and business development, events and community beautification projects.