ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Oscar P. Wong, the late founder of Highland Brewing and beloved member of the Western North Carolina community, will be memorialized at a celebration this weekend in the field outside of his brewery.
The Celebration of Life for Oscar Wong will begin at noon, Sunday, June 29 at The Meadow at Highland Brewing, 12 Old Charlotte Highway.
Wong, nicknamed the “godfather of Asheville craft beer,” founded Highland Brewing in 1994. Today, Highland remains a family-run business and one of the largest craft breweries in the Southeastern United States.
Read our obituary for Oscar Wong here.
At noon, a quartet from the Asheville Symphony Orchestra will perform in the Meadow, followed by a 1 p.m. address from Wong’s daughter and president of Highland Brewing, Leah Wong Ashburn. Ashburn’s remarks will be followed by live music from the Lillie Syracuse Band at 3 p.m.
From 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., shuttles will run from Asheville Sun Soo Martial Arts, 800 Fairview Road. For those who park at Highland Brewing itself, carpooling is encouraged.
The event will feature food trucks from Ceci’s Kitchen, Trucking Delicious, Rice Wagon, Bullhded Peanut Co. and 3 Eggs Cakery, and the full breadth of Highland Brewing alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages will be available.
During the celebration, Highland Brewing will donate $1 to the Arc of Buncombe County for every pint purchased of Oatmeal Porter, Wong’s personal favorite of his beers. Donations for the Arc of Buncombe County are also invited to be made in Wong’s memory.
Highland Brewing will show a slideshow with photos of Wong throughout the event. Photos can be submitted by the community at albums.memento.com/oscarwong or via email at oscarwong@submit.memento.com.
For more information, visit www.highlandbrewing.com.