Brainerd building supporters seeking funds to repair old Lake Co. school

A volunteer group seeking to restore the historic site of the first high school built in central Lake County is hosting a wine, beer, cigar and food festival to raise funds to repair the building.

The Brainerd Building has been closed since 2000, but the Brainerd Community Center Committee hopes to turn the space into a community center.

"The building has a tremendous amount of value from a heritage standpoint," said John Snow, president of the group's board of directors. "The history of the school is a large part of the value to the community."

The volunteers are hoping that money raised from the festival will be enough to repair the leaking roof, estimated to cost $50,000.

The North Shore Wine Beer Cigar and Food Festival is being held on Saturday, Aug. 28, on the football field at the site of the Brainerd Building, 416 W. Park Ave., from 2 to 8 p.m.

Wineries, craft beer breweries, cigar brands and local restaurants will be represented at the fest, and attendees will be able to sample more than 325 wines and 125 beers.

Tickets for the event, which will also feature live music, are $25 in advance and $35 at the gate. Each admission includes ten "tastes," but more can be purchased.

The Brainerd Building was built in 1917, and Snow estimates the total amount needed to bring the building back to use would be between $1.5 and $3 million. The building needs roof repairs, a new heating system, new windows and plumbing repairs.

"It would be fabulous for use as a community center moving forward because of the space and location," Snow said.

The group expects between 2,000 and 3,000 people to attend the festival.

"In the last year the vibe has been getting better and better," Snow said. "We have been having a number of new volunteers coming on and the festival itself has been very well received."

Although this is the first year of the festival, Snow said he thinks it has the potential to be expanded into a two-day event next year with added outdoor theater performances.