With the Spring Fountain Festival of Fine Arts and Crafts scheduled for Friday through Sunday, Feb. 21-23, the VFW Post 7507 is ready to host another beer garden in a family-friendly picnic-style environment.

In addition to the brats, beer, mixed drinks, hot dogs, Coca-Cola soft drinks, water and chili, the Post conducts multiple 50/50 raffles, sells Red Shirt Friday shirts and military-labeled hats and features live music during the festival-the only live music within Festival grounds.

The beer garden and mini-beer garden provide a space to relax in the shade or the sun while taking a break from the shopping opportunities provided by the many vendors and local merchants.

Waitress service will be available at the main Beer Garden on Saguaro Boulevard during most operating hours.

An “oasis for the hungry, thirsty or tired,” the Post invites everyone to visit the family-friendly beer garden to enjoy music and food and drink during the Fountain Festival.

Live Music

At the main garden, Tommy Fontaine will provide the music on Friday and Saturday while the “Mid-Life Vices” band will play at the main garden on Sunday.

Live music is also provided in the mini garden each day with Jim Doeden on Friday and Saturday and “Safety Patrol” on Sunday.

The tables within the Beer Garden enclosure are reserved for beer garden patrons; however, patrons are allowed to bring in outside food or drink if they buy drinks, food or Red Shirt Friday products.

The mini beer garden that serves beer, wine, soda, water and sells hats and Red Shirt Friday shirts is located at the intersection of the Avenue of the Fountains and Verde River Drive is also family-friendly.

Since Veterans Day in 2010, the VFW has spearheaded the sale of Red Shirt Friday Shirts that honor American troops.

All proceeds support the troops

Unlike the other local Veterans Service Organizations, VFW Post 7507 does not operate a canteen bar, thus the beer gardens and the annual Ralph Truax Memorial VFW Golf Tournament in November are the primary sources of revenue each year to support the Post’s many charitable endeavors, including support to the VA Hospital, financial contributions to Honor Flight and to the Arizona National Guard Family Support Fund for families with service members deployed and support and funding for homeless veterans and Arizona Standdown.

The VFW also gives cash awards to winners of the Patriots Pen and Voice of Democracy essay contests for students and gives special recognition to teachers, firefighters and peace officers as well as support to scouts.

Several years ago, the Post purchased a shell building at 9624 Monterey Drive and completed a three-phase build-out. With the build-out complete, VFW members have been better able to do more for veterans.

VFW Post 7507 holds a social and game night every Thursday evening and meets for coffee and camaraderie every Wednesday at 9 a.m. All veterans are welcome.

Recently, military-themed caps and shirts have been added to the collection and all profits support programs for homeless veterans or other veterans in need. The latest design shirts along with military-style hats will again be on sale at both the main beer garden and mini garden.

In conjunction with the Chamber of Commerce and Tom’s Barbecue, VFW will host a “Thank You” Dinner for vendors on Saturday night.

Veterans interested in joining or determining eligibility to join the VFW can get additional information by contacting the Post Commander, Don Hervey at 480-836-5520, or by e-mail at vfw7507@yahoo.com.  Other VFW information can be obtained by the above or by visiting the Post’s website at VFWpost7507.org.