IndieCraft returns to Mother's this weekend

Bands. Beer. Food trucks. What better way to kick-off summer?

IndieCraft was first organized by The Greater Springfield Partnership and hosted at Mother Stewart’s Brewing Company in 2019 and drew large crowds to enjoy the indie-band-meet-craft-brewery event.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused the event to be cancelled in 2020, but this year it’s back in full swing.

IndieCraft is this Friday and Saturday, June 11 and 12, back at Mother’s. Admission is free – attendees just pay for the food and drinks they want to enjoy.

“We have bands and breweries from Springfield, Dayton, Columbus, Cincinnati, Bellefontaine and Nashville,” says John Kelly, downtown events programmer for The Greater Springfield Partnership. “It’s cool because not only are these bands and breweries getting exposure to Downtown Springfield, but they’ll brings crowds of people to attend who can experience it also.”

On Friday, Mother’s is hosting a tap takeover featuring beer from Crooked Handle Brewing Company, Hairless Hare Brewery, The Dayton Beer Co., Warped Wing Brewing Company, Branch & Bone Artisan Ales, Alematic Artisan Ale, Devil Wind Brewing, Nine Giant Brewing, Highgrain Brewing Co. and Roundhouse Depot Brewing Co., in additional to Mother’s favorites.

Bands Friday kick off with Stringus Kahn at 7 p.m., followed by Motherfolk at 9 p.m.

On Saturday, Mother’s will host Beerfest from 4 to 10 p.m., which includes the option for of-age patrons to buy Beer Garden tickets for 4 oz., 8 oz., or 16 oz. pours from a variety of breweries.

Music Saturday kicks off at 5 p.m. and will alternate between the indoor stage at Mother’s and the brand-new outdoor stage. Check out Mother’s Facebook page for the lineup of Saturday’s performers and times.

“This event will be breaking the ice for the new outdoor stage,” Kelly says. “It will be a great new way to enjoy the outdoor area at Mother Stewart’s.

"How cool is it people can come right to Downtown Springfield to enjoy a mix of breweries and bands and all the food trucks without having to pay admission and without having to really travel far?”

A variety of food trucks will also serve at Mother’s throughout the weekend, and free parking will be available at the lot across the street from Hatch Artist Studios, at Ohio Valley Surgical Hospital, and in the City of Springfield parking garage.

Though the brewery will have fixed seating available, Kelly says part of the fun of this event being free and Downtown is that both local and out-of-town guests can enjoy the event but also have the option to grab a DORA cup and sit across the street at National Road Commons. Or, they can wander around and see what else Downtown has to offer.

“A venue like Mother Stewart’s is unique for a beer garden and concert area. The old, industrial park setting provides for a really cool stage,” Kelly says.

Events like IndieCraft are an important part of showcasing Downtown Springfield, he says.

“We feel it’s important for the overall vibrancy of the Downtown core to bring back events like this, and it’s also important for the artists and breweries and Downtown businesses to be highlighted now that we can bring people together again in a safe, fun way,” Kelly says. “We hope there’s a good amount of forward momentum and desire to do things together, joined as a community again, and we’re going to start to see a lot of things coming back to Downtown.”