Old Fashion Soda Bottler Becomes a Sponsor
Avery's Soda Coming to Klingberg Festival
“We sell nostalgia” said Rob Metz, owner of Avery’s Beverages, the legendary 106 year old soft drink company, located on Corbin Avenue, within sight of Klingberg Family Centers. This year Avery’s Beverages will be a Bronze Sponsor of the Klingberg Vintage Motorcar Festival (KVMF), serving as the official soft drink vendor of the annual fundraising event, which raises vital funds for programs serving troubled and traumatized children. A special Motorcar Festival label is being design.
We agree that the partnership between Klingberg and Avery’s is a great match! Both organizations are all about children and families, Rev John Klingberg founded the Klingberg Children’s Home in 1903, Sherman F. Avery began making soda in the red barn on Corbin Avenue in the summer of 1904, and both organizations have left an indelible mark on the city of New Britain.
Since purchasing Avery’s Beverages in 1999, Rob has used creative marketing and an instinct for retailing, to grow the company locally, nationally and even internationally. In addition to Avery’s classic sodas [Birch Beer, Cream, Root Beer, Orange and Grape are top sellers] Rob, with the help of visiting students from local schools, introduced such new flavors as Swamp Juice, Bug Barf and Dog Drool soda! Not surprisingly, these ‘Totally Gross Sodas’ are especially popular among Avery’s younger customers! Rob has also produced ‘designer’ sodas such as Barakoberry and John McCream, which drew worldwide attention during the 2008 presidential election race.
Just as Avery’s Beverages stands out from most other soda makers, the KVMF stands out from most other auto shows! The event includes 450-500 vintage and collectible show-cars spread out over the sprawling 40-acre Klingberg Family Centers campus. In addition to the incredible automobiles, this nostalgic ‘trip down memory lane’ includes old-time music, ragtime dancers, vintage clothing vendors, spectators and car owners dressed in period-costumes, vintage games and activities for kids, as well as homemade foods reminiscent of a giant backyard cookout. This year’s show will feature a collection of rarely seen autos: motorcars manufactured right here in Connecticut at the close of the 19th century and the early years of the 20th century.
The Klingberg Vintage Motorcar Festival is expected to draw over 5000 spectators to Klingberg Family Centers’ main campus on Linwood Street in New Britain. The show is scheduled for Saturday, June 19, from 10am-4pm. Please visit www.klingbergautoshow for more information.
