Oklahoma’s largest craft beer and music festival will return May 20 to downtown
The Hop Jam, Oklahoma’s largest craft beer and music festival, is turning 5 years old.
Tickets are on sale for the 2018 festival, scheduled Sunday, May 20, in the Tulsa Arts District. Tickets are available at thehopjam.com.
The Hop Jam, founded in 2014 by Tulsa music trio Hanson and its Hanson Brothers Beer Co. with McNellie’s Group, will introduce an increasingly diverse and impressive list of breweries not only from Oklahoma, but also from all across the U.S. and around the world.
The craft beer aspect of the festival will again be accompanied by a free all-ages concert with a robust music lineup, according to a news release. The Hop Jam music performers will be announced at a later date.
“It’s hard to believe we are about to host our fifth Hop Jam festival, but it is clear to see that the craft beer community is here to stay and we are glad to have been a part of the revival we have seen here in Oklahoma,” co-founder Taylor Hanson said.
“When The Hop Jam started, we had nearly every one of the then-dozen breweries in Oklahoma. Now, Oklahoma can boast almost triple that, and we are able to feature them alongside some of the world’s most respected brewers, right here on Main Street, with an incredible music festival creating the soundtrack.”
Musical artists will perform on two stages. The talent roster will include nationally recognized artists and the winner of the Tulsa World’s Awesome Music Opening Band Contest. The contest winner will open the show. Runners-up in the statewide contest will perform on the Park Stage.
To participate in the contest, local artists can submit music at tulsaworld.com/awesomemusiccontest.
Staged in the heart of the Tulsa Arts District, The Hop Jam was designed to celebrate the community and the vibrancy of downtown Tulsa with a welcoming atmosphere that appeals to all ages. The festival has an eight-block footprint and will have something for guests of all ages and interests, including food trucks, family activities, national music acts, access to many local restaurants and amenities and, of course, more great craft beer.
The craft beer portion of the event will feature more than 75 breweries from 14 states and five countries, including Oklahoma favorites Marshall, COOP and American Solera. Leading U.S. craft brewers Dogfish Head, Jolly Pumpkin, Destihl and Evil Twin will be on site, along with international brewers like Dieu du Ciel, Omnipollo and many more.
Some of the special guest brewers will take part in the Hop Talks panels, where guests will get to hear brewers talk about their philosophy and vision.
Ticket sales were scheduled for a Monday, March 26, launch, with a variety of offerings, from beer tasting to VIP options that include early entry, access to the Hop Talks panels and a special VIP lounge with food and select craft beers. A music VIP ticket, for the discerning music fan, features a private viewing platform, indoor amenities, food and select craft beers.
Hanson is again partnering with the McNellie’s Group to host the beer festival. The organizations share an interest in cultivating the craft beer community and fostering world-class events in the state.
Since The Hop Jam began, it is proud to have supported the Community Food Bank Of Eastern Oklahoma through its special Hop Guitar Raffle, which has raised funds to provide 140,000 meals. Tickets are on sale for this year’s guitar fundraiser.
The release said this year’s Hop Jam festival is proud to acknowledge some of the key partners who are lending their support to make the event possible, including iHeart Media, KMOD, The Beat, Tulsa World Media, Rib Crib, Boardwalk Brands, BOK Center, Rustic Cuff and many more.