Food, beer and family fun in Hubbard

Summer is right around the corner, and that means it’s almost time for the Hubbard Hop Festival! The Hop Festival is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, and will include something for everyone: a parade, food and beverages, live entertainment, tons of activities for kids, a car show, a 5K run, bingo and more!

This year’s Hop Festival, sponsored by Mega Foods, takes place Saturday, July 20, at Rivenes Park in the center of Hubbard. Hop Festival board member and treasurer Andria Young says the board has been working hard to make this year’s 50th anniversary extra special.

“We really wanted the Hop Festival to be a family event, and I think we’ve achieved that over the last couple of years,” says Andria. This year’s kid’s area, sponsored by the City of Hubbard, will include bouncy houses, slides, inflatable games, a bubble foam machine and more.

The annual parade, sponsored by Hubbard Chevrolet, begins at 10 a.m. “Everyone is welcome to be in the parade,” says Andria. “My brother, cousins, and I looked forward to being in it every year when we were young. We’d really love to see more kids join in the fun this year. Dress in costume, decorate your bike, walk your dog – the possibilities are endless!” Online pre-registration is available, or you can register in person the morning of.

The family-friendly beer garden allows all ages to enjoy the live music and hit the dance floor. “There is no cover charge and we have three great bands lined up this year,” says Andria. The Entertainment Stage, sponsored by the Kennedy Group, will see The Backwoods Country Band kick things off with some perfect line-dancing music. Next up is Kelsey Bales, who always has the crowd on their feet with her rocking brand of country. Headlining the event is the incredible Five Guys Named Moe, a 12-piece band playing all your favorite rock and pop songs from the 1970s all the way through the 2000s.

The Car Show, sponsored by 808 Automotive, will once again be organized by the Over the Hill Gang car club, who will be handing out prizes for the best cars. The annual Horseshoe Tournament, sponsored by Justin Stearns State Farm, will have competitors vying for the coveted winner’s hat. There will also be a 5K Fun Run with an improved course, raffle drawings with great prizes, bingo, and a marketplace full of crafts and other goodies.

All these activities will have you working up an appetite, and the Food Court, sponsored by Hierba Buena, will be serving up all kinds of delicious food, including burgers and fries, corn dogs, Mexican food and the famous Hubbard Firefighters sausage dinner. Sweet treats include ice cream, shave ice, and donuts.

“Come on out! Bring your family and friends! Hubbard is such a great community, and we have a lot to celebrate,” Andria saysFor more information and updates about the event, please find us on Facebook at Hubbard Hop Festival.