Festival Info
2023 Festival Updates | Cashless event, Volunteer, Camping & RV Parking
We’re getting ready for this October 2023 Fresh Hop Ale Festival! Here are some things to keep in mind.
Cashless Event
Our festival will be cashless including: ticket sales, merch, and scrip. Plan ahead of time and bring your debit or credit card to pay. *Food vendors may choose to accept different forms of payment though.
Volunteer Opportunities
We look forward to seeing you volunteering for the event this year. If you have questions, please email us at freshvolunteer@gmail.com. We will get back to you as soon as possible.
Camping & RV Parking
Purchase parking passes through SOZO Sports!
RV Pass – Includes one Car Pass – Friday & Saturday Night
Shuttle Info – Pick-up/Drop-off Locations
2023 Festival Tickets Available Now!
Get ready for the ultimate Celebration of Hops at the 2023 Fresh Hop Ale Festival!
Taking place on Saturday, October 7th, from 5PM to 10PM at the SOZO Complex, this festival is a must-attend event for beer enthusiasts.
Featuring a diverse selection of beers made exclusively with hops from the Yakima Valley and the talented brewers who create them, this festival is a unique opportunity to experience the freshest and most flavorful beers around. Not only is it a chance to indulge in delicious brews, but it’s also a fundraising event with proceeds supporting grant funding for science and arts programs in Yakima County. Learn more about our grants.
Don’t miss out – get your tickets today!
2022 FREE Festival Shuttles
Pick Up/Drop Off Locations
3PM – 6:30PM (ALL ATTENDEES) Shuttles Leaving When Full
(VIP Gates open at 4:00 and GA Gates open at 5:00)
Ledgestone Hotel: 107 N Fair Ave Yakima, WA
Bi Mart: 1207 N 40th Ave Yakima, WA
The Harman Center: 101 N. 65th Ave Yakima, WA
Rainier Square: 2600 W Nob Hill Blvd Yakima, WA (Home2Suites)
Yakima Valley Mall: 2529 Main St Union Gap, WA (Between BOA and Old Country Buffet)
Holiday Inn Express & Suites: 1215 Ahtanum Ridge Road, Yakima, WA
Hilton Garden Inn: 401 E. Yakima Ave. Yakima, WA (Parking on street only)
Single Hill Brewing: 102 N. Naches Ave. Yakima, WA (Parking on street or behind building)
Return Shuttles will start at 7PM and run until 11PM
May 20th: Winner’s Will Be Announced!
Submission Deadline: May 1stVoting Begins: May 4th – 18th
Winners Announced: May 20th
As a supporter of our Valley’s arts, FHAF is pleased to bring back our annual poster contest, “Fresh Art Poster Competition”. This is an exciting opportunity to display your best artistic design for this year’s festival. The 1st place winner’s artwork will be featured on the event posters, festival banners, and will go up for auction to support Yakima arts and science programs throughout our valley.
Three (3) winners will be chosen by you!
1st place wins $250 and 2 VIP Tickets.
2nd place wins $150 and 2 VIP Tickets
3rd place wins $100 and 2 VIP tickets
October 6, 2022: Golf Tournament
Your favorite golf tournament is back and in a new location! Each team will receive 18 holes of golf, cart rental, a pasta lunch buffet, a commemorative glass, golf balls and plenty of fresh hop beers! Shotgun start begins at noon. Individual entry or teams of 4 are available.
Thursday, October 6th 2022 (10:30am to 6pm)
Yakima Country Club
500 Country Club Drive
Yakima, WA 98901
Registration Check In and Lunch: 10:30am – 11:55am (Serving pasta buffet)
Shotgun Start Time: 12pm
Raffle, Snacks and Announcements: 5pm
RV Parking at SOZO Sports
SOZO Sports Complex is offering RV sites for our festival!
They have 200 spots for RV’s only. They are dry spots, but portable water and some power is available on-site. You can arrive on Friday by 5:00 PM or Saturday morning from 8-10 AM.
The $250 fee is for both nights, but you can stay just one night; the price remains the same. No tents, open flames, parties or outside visitors will be allowed in the camping area. All questions and communications about the camping spots will be handled by SOZO Sports Complex, not the Fresh Hop Group. Please contact them directly through their website.
2022 Festival – FAQ’s
Our festival is one of the largest beer festivals in the U.S.
What makes us unique, is that every brewery must submit a Fresh Hop Beer that has been brewed with fresh hops from the Yakima Valley. These beers are then judged by a panel of experts and prizes are awarded for the best. With over 70 breweries, wineries, and cideries, we have something for everyone.
Live music, food vendors, games and more! This is the largest fundraiser for arts and science organizations in the Yakima Valley with the typical amount of over $100,000 going directly to fund other nonprofit needs.
Throw the biggest party, raise the most money! That’s what we believe.
The FAQ’s
How many tokens do I get with my admission and what are the pour amounts?
General Admission ticket holders receive 4 tokens and VIP ticket holders receive 8 tokens. Each token allows you to receive a ½ glass pour. 2 tokens will give you a full pour.
Can I bring my own folding chairs into the festival?
Yes! We encourage you to bring your own chairs for your comfort throughout the festival.
Can I bring my own food and drinks?
We do not allow outside food and drink in the festival. We have plenty of food, non-alcoholic beverages and over 70 breweries, wineries and cideries to choose from.
Do you allow kids in the festival?
We do not allow children to attend the festival in any capacity. Our special occasion’s liquor license does not permit anyone under 21 years of age on the premises. This is not because we don’t like kids, it’s just the law. 🙂
Do you allow animals in the festival?
We love animals! But, this is not the place for them. With over 6,000 attendees who are drinking, it is not safe for animals to be underfoot. If your animal is a registered service animal, they may attend the festival with notice. Please email freshhopale2@gmail.com
Will there be shuttles to and from the festival?
Yes! We will have multiple shuttles in the downtown area near hotels to accommodate more people more often. Please check our shuttles post for the locations and times for this year’s shuttles. There is no charge to use the shuttle service.
Will there be RV Camping available this year?
Yes! SOZO has dry-camping spots available with access to portable water. This is a separate charge and you will pay SOZO directly. Here’s a link to sign up for camping. https://sozosports.fun/store