In celebration of their sixth anniversary, the Savannah River Brewing Co. invited the community to a Highland theme party on Saturday, Feb. 18, to enjoy competition, dancing and specially crafted drinks.
Before a traditional music processional performed with bagpipes, a kilted beer run kicked-off the event with participants racing neck-and-neck to finish with the fastest time.
Men and women competed in separate rounds of Scottish-inspired games and competitions. Competitive games included: tug of war, pole pushing, stone slinging and weighted stone lifting.
“It’s a lot of fun. One of the things that makes us so successful is that we try to appeal to everyone … we want to sell beer to everyone,” said brewery manager Jim Christian. “We want everyone to come to the brewery.”
Guests indulged in fresh food catered by What’s Smokin’ and Villa Wagen, and Highlander themed beers – such as “Smoking Scotsman Scottish Ale,” “Lil Weeman Owes Me 60 Shilling Scottish Ale” and “They Went Plaid Scottish Weeheavy.”
After a giant stone lifting competition, local dancers from the Sarah Costello Irish Dance Academy USA’s Augusta chapter performed step dancing and Irish tap dancing.
As crowds cheered and applauded for the participating dancers, ages 6-13, outside the brewery, men were competing in the crisp air at pole pushing. Each took turns lifting one side of a heavy cylindrical container, and trying to push their opponent on the other end out of a small circle.
“Scottish and Irish are so close together; we all have the same roots,” said associate teacher Kaleigh Killebrew. “It’s important to get involved with your culture. It’s important to know where your roots are, and it’s good exposure for both the community and us.”
With immigrant grandparents, who traveled by boat from Ireland, Killebrew said she felt as though sharing the family heritage allowed her daughter to also learn more about herself.
“I danced for so long, and it’s part of our culture,” she said. “So, it’s really important to me that she knows where [her family] came from.”
Afterwards, attendees continued to mingle as winners were congratulated and children imitated the games for fun.
First brought to Augusta by the military in 2014, event attendee and competitor Westley Stewart said he came to the anniversary because he always loves to support local businesses. For him, they make home a better place.
“Anything that brings the community out, I like … 20, 30 years ago, you knew everyone on the block; that’s less so today. Your neighbors are strangers, but events like these help build a community,” he said. “I don’t know the people who live next door to me, but I have 20, 40, 60 friends who come to things like this. So you might not know your neighbors, but you know your neighborhood.”
As the world continues to recover from the pandemic, Stewart said he had experienced first-hand social awkwardness for people who were trying to readjust immediately after COVID-19.
“You could tell people were out of practice socializing, being in gatherings and things like that. Something like this, outdoors where people are having fun with food and drinks – we have children here – it helps people tear down their walls. You can’t build bridges until those are down,” he said. “It builds community, it builds friendship; in short, it makes people feel less alone.”
Fellow participant Lori Bryant, who moved to the Augusta area in May 2022, said she was well acquainted with the brewery as it gave her and her husband a fun place to meet people.
“There’s nothing better than getting out and getting to know others. I didn’t know anyone when I moved here, and coming to things like this, we’ve made friends,” she said. “You have to get out to meet people; you can’t just move somewhere new and stay home.”
Moving from central Knoxville, Tenn., Bryant said she has experienced the busy city life, and wished Augusta used the downtown area more with festivals and other events to create a further developed sense of community.
“It’s really great to see everyone here having a good time and supporting a local community business too,” she said. “I’m new here, and we need more places like this. We need to build our community with more places that bring people together.”
Even though she did not win any of the competitions, Bryant said she still loved every minute.
“I love it. It was a lot of fun. I participated in a few; I didn’t do well, but it was neat,” she said. “It was a long day of a good time with great people.”
While children danced, climbed trees and played tug of war, parents and other adults laughed and enjoyed the crisp weather as they waited for live entertainment from local band Easily Amused to close out the high-spirited day.
“You have no idea what people’s backgrounds are, their upbringing, jobs, status, but with this we’re all just having a good time together,” said Stewart. “It’s what we need more of; it’s heartwarming.”
Liz Wright is a staff writer covering education, lifestyle and general assignments for The Augusta Press. Reach her at liz@theaugustapress.com
