Show a Swell of Support for the Bayfront Maritime Center
13th annual Ales for Sails event
FRIDAY, FEB. 6
The weather may not be shipshape but savor the winter winds – while cozy, indoors, and peering onto the bay – raise a glass in support of the Bayfront Maritime Center (BMC) at their annual Ales for Sails fundraiser.
With a mission since 1998 to design and implement engaging, hands-on, maritime-themed educational, vocational, and recreational opportunities for the community in a universally accessible waterfront facility, the BMC's unique programs create access to the water for everyone. "Ales for Sails is our largest fundraiser each year and it helps provide the funding needed to continue our programs each sailing season. The majority of the funding will go towards two main initiatives in 2026 – our award-winning EASE program (Erie's Adaptive Sailing Experience) which is the only adaptive sailing program in the state, and our Community Boating Program which includes sailing, kayaking, and canoeing lessons," said Andrea Baker, Ales for Sails event coordinator.
The center is also unique in that it is currently run entirely by volunteers such as their dedicated board, and Baker, whose enthusiasm and passion is to the brim. Baker is also quick to credit this year's event sponsors who are helping keep things afloat – Lincoln Recycling, Sirco Industrial Supply, Lake Erie Trucking, St. Francis Ushers Club, MacDonald, Illig, Jones & Britton Attorneys, Presque Isle Yacht Club, and Millennium Sound Productions.
She said the brewers this year will have a fun time competing as guests receive a voting chip to be placed at the station for their favorite brewery. "This event would not be possible without the amazing support of the local breweries who continue partnering with us year after year. While the lineup of competing brewers has changed some since the beginning, I'd like to thank the 10 breweries participating in 2026 – Erie Ale Works, Nostrovia Brewing, Brew Erie, Lavery Brewing, Black Monk Brewery, Erie Brewing, Poverty Knob Farmhouse Ales, Twisted Elk Brewery, Five & 20 Spirits and Brewing, and John Russell Brewing."
Attendees needn't know starboard from stern as Baker emphasizes it is a casual and relaxed atmosphere with live music, photo booth, hors d'oeuvres by Cali's West, and basket raffle. Guests also receive a commemorative tasting glass and samples from each brewery but the event is known to sell out so snag tickets soon.
6 to 9 p.m. // Bayfront Maritime Center, 40 Holland St. // 21+// $60 // For tickets and info: bayfrontcenter.org
