24 Hours 'til KBJ

This is the KBJ scene around 8:00 a.m. this morning. As you can tell there is not a lot happening. About 24 hours from now there will be a horde of people queued up licking their chops for tasty beer. If last year was any indication the line will stretch all the way down 11th Street and wind onto Cumberland Ave and move slow as molasses. A bit of front-loading may be required if you're the impatient type. It does take time to check IDs and issue wristbands, glasses, etc. but all good things are worth the wait.

This is the entrance table where they will distribute the tiny glasses (about 3-4 oz) for "sampling" all the fine beer. This is also the starting line where the stampede of drunks rush the lawn to claim their picnic spots with blankets and chairs before hurrying to the vendors to get a head start on all the slow pokes not eager enough to show up hours ahead of time.


The weather forecast has been upgraded to Sunny and 83 degrees, so bring your sunglasses, hat, sunscreen, and maybe a folding chair. Or just flop directly on the ground when you feel necessary like I did last year. There is plenty of live music, some free giveaways, and food vendors too, so bring cash if you're planning to eat. I will dine on the southern delicacy that is: the Footlong Corndog. One thing about drinking as much beer as you can, as fast as you can, is that it tends to run through you at some point. There are the standard port-o-johns, but I believe they allow passes outside the gate and there are multiple restrooms at the adjacent World's Fair Park office just a few steps away. Try to taste as many brews as possible, be prepared for lines, enjoy some food, music and good weather. This is going to be a great beerfest.