Sometimes in the rush to set a new year’s resolution, we forget to let go of things we can’t change from the past year. Each New Year’s Eve, Gella’s Diner & Lb. Brewing Co. invites you to lay one burden from the past year to rest with our annual Beer Blast, December 31.

Initially held midnight, January 16, 1920, the funeral of John Barleycorn marked the beginning of the dry era and the dawn of Prohibition. Bars and taverns across the country ceremoniously said goodbye to John Barleycorn, the fun-loving symbol of beer and liquor, that fateful night. Some paraded down the street with kegs in coffins followed by marching bands. Some poured beer into rivers, setting John Barleycorn eternally free. And, others placed tombstones in honor of their dear friend.

Prohibition and the demise of the brewing industry officially began at 12:01 a.m. on January 17, 1920 with the enactment of the 18th Amendment. We hope you will partake in the festivities as we mark this historic event with our John Barleycorn Memorial Celebration.

Join us each St. Patrick’s Day for a pint of Lb. Brewing Co.’s American Wheat Ale dyed green in honor of the Irish. And if we’re lucky, the brewmaster may just brew his popular Irish Red Ale for the occasion.

Hosted by the Hays Arts Council, the extremely popular Gallery Walks held each winter, spring and summer give community members and guests a chance to peruse the work of Hays’ talented artists. Visual and performing arts can be found throughout the Chestnut Street District. Be sure to stop by Gella’s Diner & Lb. Brewing Co. during the next Gallery Walk to see our featured artists and sample Lb. Brewing Co.’s handcrafted brews.

Join Gella’s Diner & Lb. Brewing Co. and the Hays community in the Chestnut Street District every Fourth of July weekend. The Wild West Festival includes three days of concerts and carnival rides with a fireworks extravaganza on Independence Day. And, look for Lb. Brewing Co.’s float in the annual parade down Main Street. All festivities take place at Frontier Park, within walking distance of Gella’s Diner & Lb. Brewing Co.

Just down the street and around the corner from Gella’s Diner & Lb. Brewing Co., merchants from the Chestnut Street District welcome guests in mid-July to stroll Main Street, shop the sidewalk sale, listen to live music and partake in the BBQ competition. Click here to visit the Chestnut Street District’s website and learn more about this year’s Blues & BBQ.

Every August, Gella’s Diner & Lb. Brewing Co. celebrates its anniversary. Originally opening in June 2005, the microbrewery and diner took on full-time hours in August that same year.

Don’t miss out on this year’s celebration.

From mid-September to early October, Hays’ rich German heritage is more evident than ever with the area’s two Oktoberfest celebrations. The Midwest Deutsche Oktoberfest held at the Ellis County Fairgrounds is the ultimate two-day German experience with food, dancing, demonstrations and games based on Hays’ Volga German heritage. Fort Hays State University’s Oktoberfest is part of the homecoming festivities and draws students, professors, alumni and community members to downtown’s Frontier Park for a day of fun and German food.

Get in the holiday spirit with us and other Chestnut Street District merchants. Visit downtown the first full weekend of November for the Downtown Holiday Open House. Along with specials and sneak previews of holiday décor and gift ideas, you’ll start earning tickets for the Downtown Dollar Giveway, which takes place during FrostFest.

Despite the chilly temperatures, the Hays community gathers downtown for holiday activities and a lighted parade each December. FrostFest, developed by a group of Fort Hays State University Students, began in 2001 and involves a full weekend of special events including the chance to win thousands of dollars in “Downtown Dollars” and prizes offered by participating shops and restaurants. At Gella’s Diner & Lb. Brewing, you’ll find food and drink specials as well as live music to put you in the holiday spirit.

Enter to win thousands of dollars in “Downtown Dollars” and prizes. Simply patronize participating downtown merchants between November 6 and December 6, 2009. For every $20 spent at Lb. Brewing Co. & Gella’s Diner, you’ll receive a ticket for the “Downtown Dollars” drawing*. Purchases of retail items, growlers and gift cards also qualify.

Drawings held December 13, 2009 Ticket must be present to win! If you cannot be present at the drawing on December 13, be sure to have a proxy who can present your ticket for you to claim the prize. Winners will be drawn at approximately 5:15 p.m. just before the Lighted Parade at Union Pacific Park (10th and Main). If declared a winner of one of the smaller donated prizes, your name will go back into the drawing for the larger cash prize giveaways. This year, two round trip airfares will be awarded courtesy of Fly Hays and Great Lakes Airlines. “Downtown Dollars” can be used as cash at any of the participating downtown merchants. However, you must spend all your winnings by March 1, 2010!

*Tickets can only be awarded for in-house purchases. No purchase necessary to enter the drawing.