Special to IFN
On Tap Crafty Brews, a locally owned pub located in Downtown Mooresville, will host its 3rd Annual Birdies & Brews Golf Tournament, presented by Ferrucci’s Old Tyme Italian Market, on Monday,
June 1, at the Mooresville Golf Club.
This premier Captain’s Choice charity event unites golf enthusiasts and the local craft beer community to raise crucial funds for Rainbow Kidz, a free youth grief counseling program provided by Hospice & Palliative Care of Iredell County. Event proceeds directly support the specialized program which delivers free in-school grief groups, one-on-one counseling, parent support networks, and summer camps to children navigating the painful loss of a loved one.
Rick Blankenship, owner of On Tap Crafty Brews and an employee of the Mooresville Graded School District, created the fundraising event in 2024. In 2025 he selected Rainbow Kidz as the beneficiary because he had personally seen how impactful Rainbow Kidz work was in the school system.
“Access to Rainbow Kidz is vital as students navigate through the painful and confusing process of grief,” Blankenship said. “On Tap is very community focused, striving to be a partner and catalyst for supporting local needs and encouraging regional connections. Following our successful $10,000 raise last year, our 2026 goal is to make an even bigger impact for grieving youth in our area.”
Leigh Ann Darty, director of Rainbow Kidz, explained the nonprofit’s work.
“Rainbow Kidz exists to remind grieving children and families that they do not have to walk through loss alone. Every child we serve is carrying a story, and through counseling, peer support, camps, and community connection, we help them find hope, healing, and belonging again all at no cost to them. The financial burden is never a worry,” she said. “Partnerships like Birdies & Brews and the incredible support of On Tap and our community are so important because they turn compassion into action.”
The event includes craft beer tasting, lunch and awards. After the tournament, a social gathering/awards ceremony will be held at On Tap. Local corporations and businesses seeking to get involved with this worthy event can secure sponsorship options at ontap.pub/2026-birdies-brews-sponsor.
REGISTRATION
Registration for the Birdies & Brews Golf Tournament can be found online at ontap.pub/2026-birdies-brewsregistration. Golfers can sign up as single or double entries or complete four-person teams.
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
• Shotgun Start: The tournament kicks off promptly at 9 a.m. Captain’s Choice format.
• On-Course Package: Registered players receive 18 holes of golf with a cart, a mulligan, two craft beverage tickets, a boxed lunch, and a custom tournament swag bag.
• Awards Ceremony: A post-tournament after-party and awards ceremony will take place at 3 p.m. at On Tap Crafty Brews in downtown Mooresville.
On Tap Crafty Brews is a community-centric craft beer hub dedicated to pairing premium regional drafts with impactful charitable action. On Tap has been committed to serving the best in local craft brews since opening its doors in October 2017.
LEARN MORE
For more information, visit ontap.pub/2026-birdies-brews-registration or contact Megan Morrow at Megan@RedCarpetMKG.com.