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Mountaineer Brewfest in Wheeling To Benefit Seeing Hand Association

By ALAN OLSON 2 min read

Funds raised at the eighth Mountaineer Brewfest will benefit the Seeing Hand Association, a local charity advocating for the blind and visually impaired.

Details of the August craft beer festival were announced Thursday morning at the Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack, which is the title sponsor of the event. Mountaineer Brewfest has raised over $125,000 for local charities since its inception, which come from both festival proceeds and matching tips generated by the Circus Saints & Sinners.

Seeing Hand provides rehabilitation services, community education, and advocacy for blind and visually impaired individuals. Executive Director Karen Haught said that while the organization was incorporated in 1946, the small charity is not typically in the spotlight, and that she greatly appreciates Mountaineer Brewfest's attention.

"Chances are, if you don't have a blind or visually impaired individual in your life, you're not really familiar with what we do," Haught said. "I like to say we're small and mighty. Fortunately, we don't have to serve thousands of people because blindness is not as prevalent as it was years ago.

"… From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you," she told the assembled members of Mountaineer Brewfest and Wheeling Island. "This is life changing. We're a small organization, we're very dependent on fundraisers and grants and donations. This is going to make a huge impact, and we look forward to being a part of this event."

Last year, Mountaineer Brewfest and Circus Saints & Sinners raised $30,000 for the Special Wish Foundation.

Mountaineer Brewfest will be held at Heritage Port in Wheeling on Aug. 20. Tickets go on sale beginning June 1. The event features craft beer, artisanal food, and live entertainment.

"It's going to be a lot of fun. Every year, the committee always puts together a really great festival, and every year, they try to bring in new elements to it, to make it fun and exciting for everyone involved. It's really a big part of why we continue tot sponsor this event," said Kim Florence, general manager of Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack. "It really does great things for the charities as well as being a fun event for the local community."

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