Based on a press release from Westside CARES
The 14th annual Feast of Saint Arnold (FOSA) is Saturday, June 13, from noon to 4:30 p.m. As Colorado’s only family-friendly beer festival, it has something for everyone. All proceeds go to charitable causes, with the bulk going to Westside CARES, a nonprofit, interfaith collaboration providing vital health services, food, and housing support to neighbors in need in Colorado Springs’ Westside.
The event will feature live music, diverse food options from local food trucks, a family fun zone tailored for kids – and 30 “beverage partners” serving Colorado’s best craft beers along with distilleries, wineries, and zero proof (non-alcoholic) specialties.
Last year’s FOSA raised $40,000 for Westside CARES. The nonprofit says that in 2025 it provided over 47,000 food baskets through its pantries, prevented 500 evictions, and placed 50 previously homeless neighbors into housing. Thanks to the Feast of Saint Arnold, Westside CARES also saw more than 500 patients at its onsite health clinic.
“The Feast of Saint Arnold is more than just the leading beer festival in Colorado. It also has historical relevance,” said FOSA Co-Chair Brian Bennett. “During an outbreak of the plague, a monk named Arnold exhorted the people with his message, ‘Don’t drink the water, drink the beer.’ Those who followed his direction didn’t get sick. Because of the brewing process, beer was safe. ‘From man’s sweat and God’s love, beer came into the world,’ Saint Arnold would oft exhort.”
This summer festival is also unique because it is run entirely by volunteers, optimizing the charitable proceeds.
“With proceeds from this year’s event we expect to top half-a-million dollars in contributions to Westside CARES,” said Bennett.
“The Feast of Saint Arnold is successful because of broad-based support from our community,” said FOSA Co-Chair Becky Bennett. “We have a diverse group of corporate and community sponsors who come in at all levels and really make this event happen.”
This year, the Feast of Saint Arnold has a new title sponsor: Dynamic Family Medicine. Kristy Milligan, the CEO of Westside CARES, said she appreciates all sponsors and volunteers who make the festival possible, but that she is especially excited about having a medical-related title sponsor.
“At the end of the day, the work of Westside CARES, and the work of the Feast of Saint Arnold, is to bring people together on safe, common ground to enhance health outcomes – at the individual level and the community level,” Milligan said. “Studies demonstrate the value of social connection in health outcomes, and also the value of community-embedded health organizations like Westside CARES. Keeping our mission and neighbors at the center of the event raises critical awareness, and helps us to provide lifesaving services.”
What: Feast of Saint Arnold
When: Noon to 4:30 pm, Saturday, June 13
Where: Chapel of Our Saviour Episcopal Church, 8 Fourth Street, (near Lake and Fourth) in Colorado Springs
Price: $55.20 online, $60 at the gate
Information and tickets: feastofsaintarnold.com
Learn more about the historical Saint Arnold from Catholic Connect.
