BEER AND BOWTIES: Rockingham Dragway hosting Brew’palooza and Super Chevy Show

ROCKINGHAM — Last year, Richmond County almost didn’t have a beer festival.

This year, there are two — and both are combining craft brews and fast cars.

This weekend, Rockingham Dragway is teaming up with Richard Robinson, owner of Double Vision, to host the inaugural Brew’palooza.

Robinson said several people approached him last year after the Richmond County Chamber of Commerce canceled Hoptoberfest, which had been held every year from 2015-2022 — with the exception of 2020 due to pandemic-related restrictions.

The bar owner said he was going to try to throw something together until Richmond County Economic Development announced Hops and Hot Rods at the Rock (Rockingham Speedway) as a replacement.

“Being a craft beer lover and attending multiple beer festivals, I was wanting to bring it back my own way — with German food and beer,” Robinson said.

So instead of rushing, Robinson took more time to plan it out.

In addition to owning a bar, which opened in May of 2019, Robinson started brewing his own beer — influenced by the time he spent in Germany while in the U.S. Army.

Late last year, Robinson began marketing Bent Rail and samples available at his own bar and at Axe to Grind.

While Robinson’s beer won’t be available at this weekend’s Brew’palooza, there will be selections on tap from other North Carolina breweries including: Diatribe Brewing Co. of Asheville; Southern Pines Brewing and Rail House Brewery of Moore County; New Grass Brewing Co. of Shelby; Front Street Brewery of Wilmington; Divine Barrel Brewing of Charlotte; Aviator Brewing Company of Fuquay-Varina; and Toasty Kettlyst of Gibsonville.

As for the German food, Harmons Deutsche Küche will be on site with schnitzel, bratwurst and several other Bravarian options.

“Using the front lawn of the Dragway as that event’s locale lines up perfectly for attendees to enjoy another opportunity for local entertainment,” said Dragway co-owner Dan VanHorn. “As a stand alone festival, it’s going to be everything you’d expect in a taste testing environment.”

A general admission ticket gets festival-goers a 12-ounce pilsner glass, unlimited 4-ounce samples and two full pours, with the option to buy more. VIP ticket holders will get three free full pours.

Providing entertainment for the event will be the Low Down Dirty Heathens, playing a variety of southern rock covers and originals. The three-piece group from Eagle Springs was one of 10 to compete in the Rock Around and Find Out Battle of the Bands at the Dragway this summer.

A ticket for Brew’palooza will also get festival-goers into the annual Super Chevy Show at the Rock, but not vice-versa.

“Adding free entry into Super Chevy for those ticket holders was a logical addition to the … festival, which we hope to grow into another annual destination event,” VanHorn said.

VanHorn said the Super Chevy Show is a tradition and cornerstone event for the Dragway.

“When we (Van Horn and co-owner Al Gennarelli) took over the track 22 months ago, which had a solid foundation for events … we did not realize how much Super Chevy was part of that,” Van Horn said.

“Richmond County Tourism Director Meghann Lambeth had causally informed me of how my expectations were far too low from her past experiences with the event,” VanHorn added. “Her role as car show sponsor and head of event registration beyond promotion of the event through Tourism obviously was right on point.”

VanHorn said 2023’s show was one of the year’s best events, “and we now know that it will always have that energy and support going forward.”

Dieffenbach GM Superstore in Rockingham is returning as the title sponsor for the event.

“Jeff Dieffenbach eagerly supported the refocus of the Super Chevy Show with a multi-year deal solidifying what is sure to be another must-attend,” said VanHorn.

The three-day event starts with a test and tune on Friday night. On Saturday, there will be a car show with more than 80 awards being presented in 30 classes, as well as a swap meet.

And, of course, there will be drag racing with two jet funny car showdowns between drivers from Douthit Motorsports on Saturday. The racing will continue on Sunday.

The Blewett Dam Band will also be performing Saturday evening.

“Super Chevy is one of the legacy staples at the Rock,” said Lambeth. “I have gotten to know people from Virginia, Tennessee, South Carolina, Georgia and across North Carolina at the annual Bowtie bash and look forward to it every fall.”

Tickets for both events are available online and will also be for purchase at the gate. Brew’Palooza runs from 1-5 p.m. Saturday. Gates for Super Chevy open at 9 a.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. Sunday.

Richmond County Economic Development will also be hosting the second annual Hops and Hot Rods across the street at Rockingham Speedway Nov. 2.

This event will also feature the annual Raffle at the Rock and coincide with the fourth of five races in the speedway’s Crown 9 Series.

The RO will have more on Hops and Hot Rods at a later date.