Saturday, April 16th is set for this year’s Hickory Hops beer festival. Staged on Union Square in downtown Hickory, the 9th annual outdoor beer festival hosted by Olde Hickory Brewery. It offers plenty for everyone, from inexperienced beer novices to hardened beer fest veterans anxious for something unusual. Pouring for six hours, beginning at 1:00, live music will be presented, rain or shine.