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Homewood Science Center marks 5 years with outdoor beer party

It’s time for an outdoor celebration, and the Homewood Science Center has the perfect idea – a fifth anniversary party with a focus on the science of brewing.

The party-fundraiser, “Celebrating the Science of Brewing,” is set for 7 to 10 p.m. on Thursday, July 29, at Rabid Brewing, 17759 Bretz Drive in Homewood. A tent will be set up on the beer field adjacent to the brewery, and entertainment will be by Not My Dad’s Band. 

Without knowing what rules would be in place regarding COVID-19 protocols, the center’s staff took a chance in the spring and planned for an outdoor event in mid-summer. 

“I think everyone’s ready for a celebration,” said Edie Dobrez, executive director of the Homewood Science Center. This won’t be like HSC’s past Cocktail Chemistry parties where bars and restaurants concocted drinks, but it will involve sharing insights from Raiye Rosado and Tobias Cinchon, the owners of Rabid Brewing, on how beer is brewed and the beer cans are decorated.

“It’s still a lot of fun, and still in that theme of how science and art are part of our everyday lives,” Dobrez said.

Tickets are $60 per person. Event admission includes a sample tasting of “Science Select” beers, two drink tickets per guest, yard games, munchies, entertainment and more. Sponsorships are also available between $100 and $1,000.

The other portion of the fundraiser is the silent auction opening Thursday, July 22, and continuing until the evening of July 29. Registration for the auction can be made through the website at homewoodsciencecenter.org.

“A lot of our businesses have been very generous, and we also have things like passes to Shedd Aquarium, Cubs and Sox tickets, some really cool stuff,” Dobrez said. “We want to see people in person (at the event), but you can participate online as well.”  

The original concept for the Homewood Science Center was an exhibits museum, but it has become much more than that. The center, at 18022 Dixie Highway, has a few exhibits, but the programming has attracted people from the South Suburbs and beyond.  

Dobrez said the Homewood Science Center’s initiatives are evolving, pointing to the special programs around the total solar eclipse in July 2019 to the Girls STEAM Ahead mentoring program, the PopUp Science programs that were featured on Saturdays, the roller coaster science lessons that brought students to the center for hands-on learning field trip, and the wide variety of special programming during the year.

Due to COVID-19, the majority of its 2020 programs were canceled, but Dobrez said the Homewood Science Center is gearing up for an active late summer and fall season of events and programs.

“Thank you to the village for believing in this and committing to it,” Dobrez said. The supportive board of directors has allowed staff to develop programs that reflect “the impact we can have in children’s lives, and from the very young to adults. And we can do that…because we have a lot of resources in our community, including human capital. People have returned the favor and been so generous to us giving up their time and talent.”

For additional information on tickets for the Science of Brewing, or on the Homewood Science Center’s upcoming programming, visit homewoodsciencecenter.org.

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