Beer & Food Festival Scheduled for Saturday, May 6

SANTA FE, NM - April 19, 2017: There is a hidden horror in New Mexico called "hunger" and it affects one out of every five people in the state.  But Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino intends to raise awareness of the problem, as the entertainment giant hosts the second annual Santa Fe Beer & Food Festival on Saturday, May 6, 2017. The highly anticipated event directly supports The Food Depot, Northern New Mexico's food bank.

"Hunger is closer than you think," according to Christine Gabaldon, Director of Marketing for Buffalo Thunder.  "And it's a growing crisis. Through this festival, we want to boost awareness of what our neighbors and friends are experiencing.  We intend to make a difference."

The Santa Fe Beer & Food Festival promises to do that and more, added Gabaldon.  It's a full day of live entertainment, food vendors, craft and commercial breweries, prizes and a compelling charitable component, too:  Event attendees who bring five or more cans of food for donation to The Food Depot receive a free festival t-shirt.

"We count on the support of Buffalo Thunder in our vision of healthy, hunger-free communities in northern New Mexico," said Jennifer West, community relations coordinator for The Food Depot. "Their participation and partnership helps us feed the most vulnerable in our community."

These hungry residents turn to emergency food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and senior centers for their daily meals.  In turn, it is The Food Depot that makes sure these organizations have enough food to provide them.  In 2016 alone, The Food Depot distributed 6.2 million pounds of food — enough for 5.1 million meals — to children, seniors, and the working poor of northern New Mexico.

"Buffalo Thunder isn't just the area's largest entertainment complex," Gabaldon said.  "We are deeply rooted in this community, and are committed to an improved quality of life and health for everyone in need.  The festival is just one example of that ongoing vision."

Participating event sponsors include Santa Fe Brewing, Odell Brewing Company, Nuevo, and Bloody Maria.  Local restaurants including Inn of the Anazasi, SantaCafe, Jinja Bar and Bistro, Sopaipilla Factory, Red Sage and Turquoise Trail Bar and Grill will also be on hand during the event, among many other food and beer vendors.

The 2016 event drew a crowd of 2,500 people, according to officials.  Attendance for the upcoming event is expected to top 3,000.  Advance tickets are $ 30 each and can be purchased at the casino box office or online at tickets.com.  Participants must be 21 years of age to attend.

About Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino:  https://buffalothunderresort.com

Buffalo Thunder Resort and Casino is located and operated by the Pueblo of Pojoaque just north of Santa Fe, New Mexico. Opened in 2008, Buffalo Thunder joined the ranks of the casino elite of New Mexico, including its sister casino, Cities of Gold.  Art from Native contributors statewide, and from many different Pueblos, are displayed proudly throughout the casino.