PRESS RELEASE--FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ONEIDA, NEW YORK. On Saturday, August 1st, from 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Madison County Historical Society is hosting the 3rd Annual Madison County Hop Festival on the Society's grounds at 435 Main St., Oneida. The hop festival was created in 1996 to bring about an awareness of and to celebrate the history of hop growing in New York State. In the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, New York State was the leader in hop production in the United States, growing over eighty percent of the nation's crop. However, hop growing not only brought jobs and prosperity to New York but also a unique way of life. Hop picking season was an annual social event for many who left their regular jobs for three to four weks to go hop picking. Hop picking was considered both a vacation and an adventure, and a way to meet new people and socialize. During the day the hop pickers sang songs, told stories, and told jokes while working in the hop yards. In the evenings, hop dances were held each night on the hop farms and in town until the early morning hours. Many young people looked forward to hop picking season hoping to find romance in the hop yards. Local villages came alive at night with the flood of hop pickers looking to spend their money and have some fun in the local taverns. Hop picking season was one of the largest social events of the year in central New York.

The hop industry was an important part of New York's history not only because it was a leading agricultural industry prior to 1920, but also because the hop industry created various social traditions that many of our ancestors participated in. This year the event will again feature beer sampling from area microbreweries including Middle Ages Brewing, Empire Brewing, Sackets Harbor Brewing, Cooperstown Brewing, Kobors Brewing, Ten Springs Brewing, Matt Brewing, and Brewery Ommengang. Also featured during the event will be displays of 19th century hop growing tools and equipment; 18th century beer brewing demonstrations; home brewing demonstrations; displays of brewery memorabilia; guest lecturers; displays by area historical organizations; children's games; entertainment; refreshments and much more. Also during the event will be the crowning of the Madison County Hop King. Featured in the agricultural museum is the exhibit, "BitterSweet: Hop Culture in Central New York" and video, "When The Hop Was King In Central New York." Admission to the event is $3.00 per person, $2.50 for Seniors and Historical Society members.

For additional information or to reserve a booth space, please call (315) 363-4136 or write to: Tom Kernan, Madison County Historical Society, 435 Main Street, P.O. Box 415, Oneida, New York 13421.