Press Release: PearlPalooza returns Saturday, September 21

ALBANY – Downtown Albany’s highly-anticipated, free, all-ages music festival presented by  Indian Ladder Farms Cidery & Brewery, Driscoll Foods, and Albany Mechanical Services, returns on Saturday, September 21 from 12:00 PM-7:00 PM. Produced by 102.7 FM WEQX, the Downtown Albany Business Improvement District (BID), and Sugar Productions, the event includes a diverse lineup of locally and internationally acclaimed musical acts, MVP Health Care presents YogaPalooza mass yoga gathering at 11:00 AM, and 30 high-quality vendors, all just steps away from some of downtown Albany’s finest dining, retail, and entertainment establishments. 
 
Performances will take place on the PearlPalooza stage at N Pearl Street & Sheridan Avenue. Guests over the age of 21 who present valid ID will be able to purchase a variety of craft beverage products from official craft beer sponsors Indian Ladder Farms Cidery & Brewery and Brown's Brewing Company. In addition, guests will be able to explore food, non-alcoholic drinks, craft goods, and art from over 30 vendors, in addition to many downtown Albany businesses offering world-class dining, retail, and services located within or just steps away from the event footprint.

This year’s PearlPalooza will feature performances from:
 
Robert DeLong | 5:30 PM
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Jakob Nowell | 4:00 PM
performing songs from Sublime and Jakobs Castle
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The Ramona Flowers | 2:30 PM
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Laveda | 1:30 PM
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The Sugar Hold | 12:30 PM
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YogaPalooza, presented by MVP Health Care, will start the day at 11:00 AM. The Capital Region’s only street-wide yoga event returns for its eighth year to kick off the activities on Pearl Street in front of the stage with an hour of free, all-levels yoga from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Instructors from local studio The Hot Yoga Spot will lead a free, one-hour, all-levels yoga class from the stage. YogaPalooza is presented by MVP Health Care, in association with The Hot Yoga Spot, the Downtown Albany BID, and The Hollow Bar + Kitchen. Find more information and register for YogaPalooza at downtownalbany.org/yogapalooza.

Downtown Albany BID Executive Director Georgette Steffens said: “Every year we look forward to the third Saturday in September, as music lovers, families, friends, and neighbors come together in the core of our City to enjoy this free, action-packed day of fun and excitement on North Pearl Street. This 15-year tradition continues to draw crowds to Downtown from across the region and beyond, showcasing Albany’s Central Social District as a top destination not only for events, but for the many incredible businesses, historic architecture, and beautiful scenery guests will discover within a few steps of the event. We thank our co-organizers, WEQX and Sugar Productions, along with our incredible host of sponsors, whose dedication and commitment to serving our community is what makes this event possible.

Indian Ladder Farms Owner Dietrich Gehring said: "We're thrilled to be an official craft beer and presenting sponsor of PearlPalooza 2024, where the community comes together to celebrate local talent, great music, and of course, exceptional craft beer, cider, and other spirits locally created. As a producer in this region, we're passionate about supporting events that highlight the vibrant culture of our downtown areas. We look forward to raising a glass with everyone as we enjoy the best music and flavors our area has to offer."

WEQX Program Director Jeff Morad said: “Here we go again! I am really stoked for this year's lineup as we get to welcome our buddy Robert DeLong back to PearlPalooza after his breakthrough performance 12 years ago at this festival. And to have Jakob Nowell performing the songs of Sublime and Jakobs Castle... how fun is that going to be! Not to mention, these great local bands and The Ramona Flowers, who performed an invite-only show for us not too long ago at Indian Ladder Farms, who just so happen to be supporting the festival this year along with Brown's Brewing Company! We sure are going to have some tasty music to go along with those tasty locally-produced beverages!” 

Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan said: "WEQX, Sugar Productions and the Downtown Albany BID have put together yet another phenomenal lineup for this year's PearlPalooza. Each year we look forward to the announcement of this signature Downtown Albany event and all the fun and excitement it brings to Albany. There's nothing better than getting to see free live musical performances from top-tier bands while enjoying the best offerings from local craft beverage producers, food vendors, artists and makers, right here in the downtown core of our city."

PearlPalooza 2024 is sponsored by Indian Ladder Farms Cidery & Brewery, Driscoll Foods, Albany Mechanical Services, Brown's Brewing Company, Silver Therapeutics, MVP Health Care, New Scotland Spirits, ParkAlbany, Global Partners, CDTA, Hampton Inn & Suites, the City of Albany, The Hollow Bar + Kitchen, and The Hot Yoga Spot. The festival is produced by the Downtown Albany BID, in association with WEQX and Sugar Productions. The official craft beer sponsors of PearlPalooza are Indian Ladder Farms Cidery & Brewery and Brown's Brewing Company.

$8 event parking is available at ParkAlbany's Riverfront, Quackenbush, and Green-Hudson Garages, just a few blocks from the action! Find more at downtownalbany.org/parking. 

For more information, visit: downtownalbany.org/pearlpalooza and weqx.com.

Event Ground Rules: no outside alcoholic beverages, glass containers, dogs or pets (with the exception of ADA-certified service animals), recording of performances, or bad attitudes will be allowed at PearlPalooza. Security personnel have the right to inspect any bags brought onto the premises.

Please do not attend the event if you have tested positive or display any symptoms of COVID-19, or if you have been in close contact with anyone that has tested positive in the past 5 days. COVID-19 is still a risk and attendees acknowledge that they are responsible for their own safety at the event.