A SPECIAL beer has been brewed to mark the first Sunderland Festival which starts tomorrow.
The festival, organised by Sunderland City Council, will have an American theme.
The commemorative beer has been produced at the Double Maxim micro-brewery on Rainton Bridge Business Park in Sunderland.
Visitors to the main licensed events being held at the Northern Playing Fields in Washington will be able to sample the Sunderland Festival ale, with other events and activities at venues across the city over the four days of the festival.
Council portfolio holder for culture John Kelly said: “What better way to celebrate our first Sunderland Festival than with a special ale brewed at one of the growing number of micro-breweries in the city which are helping to keep famous old names like Double Maxim alive?
“The continued growth of these breweries is another example of business success in our city, which is added cause for celebration along with the launch of another huge, annual community event.
“Every year the Sunderland Festival will have a different theme, and this year we've chosen to celebrate our close cultural and historic links with the USA .”
Mark Anderson, managing director of Double Maxim breweries, said: "We are delighted that we've been able to produce this special celebratory beer to help launch the first ever Sunderland Festival. Our city has a proud brewing tradition, and we hope that the success of ours and other breweries is helping revive that tradition and create more business success in Sunderland.”
The four days of events range from classic American car displays, fun fair rides and American football to cheerleading, music and dance performed by local schools and community groups. There will be American cuisine along with family and professional kite-flying.
Events are taking pace at venues across the city including the Northern Area Playing Fields, Arts Centre Washington, Sunniside Gardens, Washington Old Hall and Roker and Herrington Country Park which hosts an open air showing of the movie Grease.
There will also be outdoor music events where people can enjoy Country and Western, American swing and more contemporary styles, along with arts and crafts events culminating in Independence Day celebrations at Washington Old Hall on Monday, July 4.