In a second-storey unit at the northside Port Coquitlam firehall lies much of the city’s history.
There are documents from the past as well as old electronics, May Queen dresses and the May Queen chair.
But the artefacts — many dating back half a century — aren’t in a climate-controlled storage facility and, as a result, are at risk of being damaged if they aren’t preserved properly.
In a bid to save the collection from ruin, PoCo Heritage next month will host Brew-HaHa, a fundraiser that, for the first time, will bring together all of PoCo’s craft breweries and cidery.
The festival, to be held at Leigh Square from 3 to 7 p.m. on Sept. 7, will see the year-old breweries Northpaw and Taylight pour their suds alongside West Coast Cider Co. and the yet-to-open Tinhouse and Patina brew houses.
Northpaw, PoCo’s first craft brewery, will serve its C.R.E.A.M.~Sicle and Belgian Pale Ale while Patina, the business co-owned by former mayor Greg Moore, will have its Hazy IPA and Kolsch on tap.
Northpaw co-owner Courtney Brown told The Tri-City News said the festival is a good way to give back to the community.
“It’s also important to us that people see Port Coquitlam as a viable place to enjoy good craft beer,” he said, “and, hopefully in the future — if this is to become an annual event — that it’s inclusive to other breweries and/or cities such as Port Moody that have done a great job of supporting the craft beer scene on a macro level.”
Benjamin Jones of Patina, which will soon have its business up on Marpole Avenue, concurred. “We love that this is a local event, supporting a local foundation and showcasing the local breweries,” he said.
Festival-goers will be given tickets at the gate — once ID is shown — and have the opportunity to taste up to 12 four-ounce samples.
Music will be provided by Juno award-winning music teacher Steve Sainas, the Terry Fox secondary Rock School founder, and prizes and activities will be available such as photos with a heritage scene background, and craft-making.
The Downtown PoCo Business Improvement Association will supply face painting for kids who can enter the fenced-off site for $5 and receive free pop and snacks.
Linda Sliworsky, president of PoCo Heritage, said organizers wanted to make Brew-HaHa a family-friendly gathering; designated drivers can also get in for a discounted price: $10.
The committee is aiming to collect about $5,000 to rent a climate-controlled storage unit. “We need to move about half the items from the current site,” she said. “They are vulnerable and we can’t have them in there much longer.”
Advance tickets at $45 (or $50 at the gate) can be purchased at PoCo Heritage (2248 McAllister Ave.) or online at pocoheritage.org.
