The lawn of the Koi Pond Brewing Co. was filled with dozens of people Saturday as men, women and families came out to support the local craft brewerys third annual Pondapalooza event, which had craft beer, food trucks, live music and activities for the children.

Eric Ghiloni, co-owner of Koi Pond Brewing Co., said the Pondapalooza concept comes from the annual popular music festival called Lollapalooza, which features several music genre performances.

We wanted to do something that sounded familar, and this is all about fun, community, music and food, Ghiloni said.The turnout was great. In addition, to the people here locally, we had several people coming from places like Greenville, Raleigh and Durham.

Instead of rain, the day turned out to have overcast skies with temperatures in the high 60s and a little breeze. People were relaxing in folding chairs in groups, sitting at picnic tables or standing and talking on the outside porch of Koi Pond, while eating and having a cup or can of beer from Koi Pond Brewing, Tarboro Brewing Co. West: Tacos & Taproom or Bull Durham Beer Co.

People also were seen going across the Rocky Mount Mills campus to Ramblers Beer and Wine. Visitors looking for a bite to eat had a selection to choose from vendors such as Angelos Pizza, Cut Bait Cafe, Zekes Meats and Bills Kettle Corn.

In addition to food and beer, people were treated to several live band performances. Ghiloni, who is known to play guitar, played with one of the bands on stage. Joey Stultz, who plays the drums, performed during the first act with Chet Nichols and the Repeat Offenders.

Im from Wilson and this was the first time that Ive been to Koi Pond and the Rocky Mount Mills, Stultz said.This is amazing and even though I dont drink, this is a nice environment. I loved the diversity of the crowd seeing a mix of older and younger people and families out here.

While waiting for his chicken sausage sandwich, he ordered from Zekes Meats, John Wade said he has been a regular visitor of Koi Pond since it became the first tenant to open at the Mills in 2015. Wade loves the variety of craft beer served at Koi Pond. Wade said he enjoyed the music and having some good beer at Pondapalooza.

Wade is looking forward to the continuing development of the Rocky Mount Mills as two new restaurants under local ownership are set to open this summer.

I think its fabulous about the plans for the future so far, Wade said.Im curious what theyre going to do in the big mill building because I heard the possibility of retail and office space. It would be great to see that come to fruition.

While coming to Pondapalooza with some old friends, Shelly Johnson, who lives in New Mexico and was visiting her parents, said this was the first time she had been back in Rocky Mount in eight years. People close to her recommended she come to Koi Pond for the Pondapalooza event and check out what is happening at the ongoing development of the Rocky Mount Mills.

My last image of the Mills was it being an old cotton mill, and to see what it has become and the construction taking place is really cool, Johnson said.

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Pondapalooza gives folks chance to enjoy food, music and fun - Rocky Mount Telegram