6 March 2024
By Hannah Wilcox
North Sydney looks set to host the infamous Beer, Footy and Food Festival during the NSWRL Magic Round this year. The Bears are looking to celebrate community with the involvement of the festival at North Sydney Oval on May 18 and 19.
Council approval is yet to be granted although “preliminary planning” is already underway with oval maintenance staff “supportive of the proposal.” Councillors will consider the plan at a meeting next Monday.
The festival has previously packed out Marrickville’s Henson Park, home ground of the Newtown Jets’, for the last six years and is hitting the road to travel up north for the Magic Round at Newcastle’s Sportground No. 2 on April 13.
Fans coming to watch the five games of footy throughout the day will be supplied by fifteen craft brewers and an array of food trucks.
A popular highlight of the day, Pro Wrestling Australia puts on live wrestling before and after the main game.
More than 11,000 footy fans, beer enthusiasts and foodies are expected to enter the gates.
Beer, Footy and Food made a return to the pitch in 2022 following a two-year pandemic-related hiatus and multiple weather postponements.
Last year saw the event’s biggest bonanza yet, with 34 brewers including Grifter, Philter, Wayward, Curly Lewis, Freshwater Brewing Co, Batch, Yulli’s Brews, Young Henrys, Hawke’s, Frenchies and Better Beer.
Bringing the “cultural phenomenon” to the North Shore would also boost surrounding businesses, the proposal to Council states.
“The festival seeks to build on the strong community connection established by the North Sydney Bears, enhancing local engagement.”