Until Sept. 14, the White River Valley Museum had always billed the Hops and Crops beer-and-music festival at Mary Olson Farm as “a rain or shine” event.
But an hour or two past the noon opening, and for the first time in its 13-year history, rain opened up on the festival. While many celebrants took refuge in the rebuilt Olson barn until the wet stuff had passed, Auburn’s Martin Meares was not among them.
Indeed, when the Auburn Reporter caught up with Meares, he was standing hatless in the rain, water speckling his glasses, happily sipping on an IPA from Acorn Brewing. No dampening the spirits of this Pacific Northwest resident — too much fun to be had…