FITCHBURG — The Nashua River Brewers Festival will return for its 16th year — and its “Last Call” — from 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 27, when more than two dozen craft brewers, three live music acts, three food trucks and hundreds of attendees gather at Riverfront Park for an afternoon of beer, wine, ready-to-drink cocktails, entertainment and community spirit.
Leominster-based Ginny’s Helping Hand & Food Pantry will once again serve as the primary beneficiary of festival organizer Beers for Good. Proceeds from the 2025 festival generated a $6,500 donation to Ginny’s and a $1,000 donation to Fitchburg Civic Days.
Those contributions bring Beers for Good’s charitable giving to more than $109,000 donated to Central Massachusetts nonprofits since the organization’s founding in 2008.
“It really helps us do the work that we do every single day,” Ginny’s Helping Hand Executive Director Brandon Robbins said during the 2025 check presentation. “Without support like this, we couldn’t support the amount of people that we do. We have seen a huge increase in the number of people who we are serving — both from Leominster and from Fitchburg — and as that number continues to tick up and up, we need to find more community partners to meet the need in our community. Without events like this, we wouldn’t be able to do that.”
Representatives from Ginny’s Helping Hand will be on hand during the festival to share the organization’s mission of providing essential resources and support to individuals and families in need while fostering a stronger, more compassionate community.
Robbins said Ginny’s served more than 60,000 people across North Central Massachusetts in 2024, most of them from Fitchburg and Leominster. In 2025, the organization has experienced roughly a 10 percent increase in demand each month compared to the previous year.
“The festival was a great opportunity for us to get the word out about the services that we provide to people who might need it,” Robbins said. “We are really appreciative of the festival for choosing Ginny’s to partner with us because this will go a long way for people who need it.”
Following last year’s event, volunteer members of Beers for Good presented checks to Robbins and Fitchburg Mayor Sam Squailia, at Fitchburg City Hall.
“A huge thank you to Beers for Good, where I accepted a generous donation to Fitchburg Civic Days from the proceeds of this year’s 15th Annual Nashua River Brewers Festival at Riverfront Park,” Squailia said on social media following the presentation. “Beers for Good, the awesome volunteer team behind the festival, continues to live up to their name: using craft beer to support our community good. Thank you to everyone who attended, poured, volunteered, and supported our hometown festival tradition.”
“The 2026 ‘Last Call’ festival promises to close out the event’s run in style, featuring craft brewers from across New England, three food trucks and a lineup of local and returning musical favorites,” said Scott Souza, president of Beers for Good.
Festival organizers are excited to welcome “Our So-Called Live Music” to the stage for the first time, along with the return of Boston favorite “Pink Slip” for a second consecutive year and Worcester-based two-time festival headliner “Michael Kane & The Morning Afters.”
Food offerings will include the popular food truck from Bay State Brewing, along with Fitchburg’s Social Dough and festival favorite The Grateful Dog.
Advance tickets are $35 and are available through Beers for Good and participating ticket vendors. Tickets will be $45 at the gate on the day of the event. Admission includes full 4-ounce pours and a commemorative 2026 festival glass.
A $20 designated-driver ticket is also available for those who want to enjoy the music, food and festivities without participating in beer tastings.
This year’s event marks the end of an era after 18 years of raising money for local causes, educating the public about the region’s craft brewing industry, and bringing visitors to the city of Fitchburg.
“Beers for Good volunteers look forward to welcoming residents and visitors from across the region to one more celebration,” Souza said.
For more information, or to purchase tickets in advance, visit the Beers for Good website at beersforgood.com.
Original article
Comments