Solomons, MD – There’s something daring about holding an event under a giant tent on an extremely windy day. Sunday, Oct. 9 brought the end of persistent rain but an often fierce wind that rattled the tents set up in the parking lot of the Ruddy Duck Brewery and Grill on Dowell Road in Solomons. The restaurant’s first annual DuckFest Beer and Music Festival endured the gusts with gusto. The fundraiser for United Way of Calvert County and Southern Maryland Center for Independent Living drew a huge crowd who drank their fill of local craft beer and satisfied their appetites with authentic German cuisine.
“This is awesome,” exclaimed Carlos Yanez, one of the Ruddy Duck’s co-owners.
As if the beer, brats, sauerkraut, schnitzel and strudel weren’t enough, the crowd enjoyed the live music performed by headliner Ryan Forrester Band along with Josh Airhart, Run Catch Rain and Dylan Galvin.
The benefactors from United Way gave aid to restaurant employees, helping to serve food and drinks as well as sell tickets for various raffle drawings. Local United Way CEO Kelly Chambers told The BayNet “about 60 volunteers” worked the five hour festival.
Through ticket sales, sponsorships, food and drink sales, raffle ticket sales and various games funds were raised for United Way’s 38 agencies, which include Southern Maryland Center for Independent Living.
As the event reached its end, Michael Kelley, the Ruddy Duck’s other co-owner and United Way board member, thanked the attendees and urged those who had enjoyed a significant quantity of brew to not try to drive. To ensure their safety, DuckFest sponsors provided free Uber and Lyft rides. The business that shares the lot with the Ruddy Duck—Hilton Garden Inn, provided special pricing for DuckFesters.
Enjoy the many images of DuckFest captured by The BayNet and read previous event stories posted on the site.
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com
