The growing popularity of the annual Carousel Beer & Wine Festival, sponsored by Lighthouse Beer & Wine, has led to a new approach to this year’s main event, held this Saturday at the Port City Marina.

The event, now in its 19th year, features over 400 beers and wines, and benefits The Carousel Center’s mission to support healing, promote justice and foster resilience in children victimized by physical or sexual abuse. 

Event goers will now select either a day or evening time slot to help with crowd control. Ticketholders will only be allowed access to the grounds during their selected time frame, with Session 1 running from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and Session 2 running from 5 to 9 p.m. Organizers said implementing two time frames will create a better experience for attendees and participating vendors. 

There are also a limited number of VIP tickets available which include access to the brewery hospitality tent for food and special and limited pours. 

Prior to the main event, Lighthouse will host the 7th annual Voracious & Rare Beer Festival on the deck of the Battleship North Carolina from 6 to 9 p.m. Organizers call it the “ultimate boutique beer geek experience,” featuring 45-plus breweries pouring limited release beers, as well as food, wine and live music.

Tickets for both events can be purchased online.

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