Keeping Fun Clean At Soberfest

Live music, fun and games, and plenty of food, but not a beer in sight. Saturday’s event at Ray Kestner Park made for a family friendly outing while community members enjoyed each other’s company without the presence of alcohol.

“We are celebrating sobriety. There are a lot of people in the area that are in recovery, but there are also a lot of people in the area that would just love to come out and have fun with a family day and not have to worry about alcohol or substances,” said festival coordinator Deb Barna.

Soberfest began last year as a way for folks to enjoy a no pressure social setting.

Barna said, “There were several of us talking last year and we were wondering how do people meet each other without going to the bar? And somebody said “what about a picnic on the beach?” So, it was born.”

As a result of last year’s successful turn out and plenty of community support from area businesses, organizers held the four hour event again, with some new additions.

“We do get a lot of donations. Superior Events and Equipment donates the games for the kids, all the games that you see around us. We’ve gotten a lot of donations from Pepsi of Houghton, and Coke of Hancock for pop and water. The coffee tent is new this year so they’re all donating their coffee from the four shops in the area. Cyberia, 5th and Elm, KC Bonkers, and Java by the Bay. Monetary donations have come in through the year little by little so we just kind of carry them over until next year,” she said.

Another donation came from the Keweenaw Brewing Company- who contributed a keg of root beer.

With a live band, a DJ, and a pot luck buffet, it’s anticipated that the celebration of sobriety will continue next year as well.

Barna said, “We would like to thank everybody for coming out and all the people who helped make this possible, the people who donated and sponsored us, and hopefully we’ll be able to do it again next year.”