XichaFest returns, celebrating Salem brewery's 6th anniversary

Em Chan, Salem Statesman Journal
·2 min read
Xicha Brewing will host its fourth annual Xichafest Sept. 15-16 at its north Salem location in the 45th Parallel building.
Xicha Brewing will host its fourth annual Xichafest Sept. 15-16 at its north Salem location in the 45th Parallel building.

The fourth annual Xichafest returns Sept. 15-16 at the Latin brewery's north Salem location. The celebration marks the brewery's sixth anniversary and will include beer, wine, food, live music, local vendors and a car show.

Xicha Brewing is Oregon's only Latin-American-owned brewery. It opened in 2018.

The brewery's original location is in west Salem and there is a second location called Xicha Brewing-North in north Salem's 45th Parallel building.

In the same vein as prior Xichafests, this year's event includes the introduction of a fundraiser beer. This year it is an IPA made with hops donated by Crosby Farms. Proceeds will go to Pineros Y Campesinos Unidos del Noroeste (PCUN), Melissa Sanchez, Xicha Brewing's marketing coordinator, said. The Woodburn-based organization advocates for Oregon's Latino farmworkers and working families.

The festival runs from 3-10 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday. Throughout the two days, the brewery will sell elotes and local vendor Las Cuatas Lokas will offer aguas frescas and chili candies.

On Friday, DJ StickSoundWavves will play Latin music from 3-6 p.m. At 7 p.m., local band Pachanga will perform live.

A low-rider show Saturday is a new addition to the festival lineup. The cars featured will be from five local car clubs, with outside cars unable to participate. The show will officially start at 11 a.m., with judging at 2 p.m. and the top five cars announced at 2:30 p.m. All cars will be available for viewing until 4 p.m.

Sanchez said low riders are part of the Mexican culture and that they had wanted to have the show before but didn't have parking lot capacity.

Inside, the space will have a tiendita (small vendor space) with local vendors selling wares. Outside will be a carne asada vendor, grilling the meat onsite.

On Saturday night, Portland band Pura Vida Orquesta will perform at 7 p.m., with the floor open to dancing.

For more on the event, visit the website, xichabrewing.com/xichafest, and Facebook event page.

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: XichaFest returns, celebrating Salem brewery's 6th anniversary