Friday, June 5 at 5pm, the Palace EDGE Board presents a beer tasting event as part of their First Friday series at the May Pavilion in downtown Marion.

“Our first event was a wine tasting and it was very well received,” says Palace Events Coordinator and EDGE Board member Daniel Bradshaw. “Immediately people were requesting a beer tasting and we thought June was the perfect time for it. Thanks to DelMar and Conway’s, it has become the best way to start the summer.”

Advance tickets are available for this event and patrons are encouraged to claim their seats soon. $15 includes admission to the event, five beer samples, one full drink ticket (good for beer or wine), and one trip through the food line. A cash bar will also be available. Tickets may be purchased by visiting the Palace box office or charging by phone at 383-2101. All proceeds from First Friday events go toward the Palace’s Capital Campaign.

Conway’s Smokehouse Grill and Pub is providing Barbecue sandwiches, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, and cole slaw. DelMar Distributing will have a selection of domestic and imported beers for patrons to sample. Some packaged beer will be available for purchase at the end of the event as well.

The EDGE Board, an advisory board to the Palace Theatre, began the First Friday events in February as after-work mixers for young professionals. Since their inception, the events have grown in scope and attendance. Previous events have included a St. Patrick’s Day mixer, dueling piano show, and a concert by the pop-rock band, Saving Jane. Recent event attendance has neared 300 patrons.

“We’re all very pleased with how these events have turned out,” Bradshaw says. “A crowd of regulars is beginning to form and we always see new faces in the mix as well. First Friday at the May is the place to be with friends and to make new contacts.”

The new May Pavilion was opened in October 2008.  The addition to the Palace Theatre’s west side has played host to many events including two dinner theatre productions.  Several performances are scheduled for 2009-2010.

Advance tickets for the June 5th First Friday event are available now at the Palace box office, 270 W. Center St., downtown Marion, or by phone at 740/383-2101.  Any remaining tickets will be available at the May Pavilion doors at 5pm that evening for $15.  For more information on this and other upcoming events, visit the website at www.marionpalace.org.