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Posted on April 4, 2024
Join us at Center of the Universe Brewing Company for free live music, a food truck, and an assortment of beer, wine, cider, and non-alcoholic beverages. Free to attend and open to all ages!
Band Lineup
Fridays from 6:00pm – 8:30pm
Saturday times below
July 25th – Tom Winecoff
August 1st – Tropical Johnson
August 8th – Ryan Hearn
August 9th (3:00pm – 6:00p) – Miles Hoyle
August 15th – Threat Level Midnight
August 16th (5:00pm – 8:30pm) – Panties and Bombage Band
August 22nd – Eight oh Four
August 23rd (1:00p – 4:00pm) – Tropical Johnson
August 29th – Paulo Franco
August 30th (5:00pm – 7:30pm) – Palomino Jukebox
September 5th – Ryan Irby
September 6th (3:00pm – 6:00pm) – Fat Sylvester
September 12th – Soul Strangerz
September 13th (5:00pm – 7:30pm) – Katie Carter
September 19th – Zach Salsberry
September 20th (5:00pm – 7:30pm) – LT and the Great Scotts
September 27th (12:30pm – 3:30pm) – The Sauerkrauts
September 27th (5:00pm – 8:00pm) – The Royal WE
October 3rd – Mike Banks
October 4th (5:00pm – 7:30pm) – Kailey Conway
October 10th – The Barnstrummers
October 11th (2:30 – 5:30pm) – Amy Henderson
October 17th – Self-Righteous Brothers
October 18th (3:00pm – 6:00pm) – The Wybros
October 24th – Ryan Hearn
October 25th (2:00pm – 5:00pm) – Rob Oliver
November 7th – Zack Salsberry
November 14th – The Boss of Us
November 16th (12:00pm – 3:00pm) – The Royal WE
Posted on March 25, 2024
Center of the Universe Brewing Company is excited to host the 10th Annual Summer Moon Music Festival May 11th and 12th. Enjoy live music from 17 different local bands, all playing for their charity of choice, on 2 outdoor stages. While grooving to tunes, grab yourself a glass of beer, wine, cider, or non-alcoholic beverage to help wash down the delicious grub offered by the food trucks. The festival is free to attend and open to all ages. Well-behaved and leashed dogs are welcome on the outdoor beer garden. See you May 11th and 12th!
Band Schedule and Lineup
Saturday May 11th
Acoustic Stage
12:30 – Ginny Ray
1:45 – Needs Nothing
3:00 – Lavelle Hall
4:15 – Benjamin Hager
5:30 – Jason White and Friends
Main Stage
1:00 – The Crump Tunes
2:15 – Jahvaquarium
3:30 – Three Quarter Squeegee
4:45 – Flashlight Tag
6:00 – Buckville Hootenanny
Sunday May 12th
Acoustic Stage
1:45 – Annabritt Coakley
3:00 – Tim Perkins
4:15 – Keir and Friends
Main Stage
1:00 – The Boss of Me
2:15 – Earth and Lunar Rendezvous
3:30 – Back Sydney Band
4:45 – RESONANCE
Food Trucks
Saturday
Flavor Chariot
Smokie Joes
Sunday
Shakedown Eats
A Few More Details
1. The event is rain or shine. The stages and limited seating will be covered.
2. No coolers permitted on site.
3. Folding/camping chairs are permitted/encouraged.
4. Please adhere to all “No Parking “ signs and if parking on the street, ensure your vehicle is all the way across the white line and not in the road.
5. Outside alcohol is not permitted via VA ABC law.
6. COTU is a cashless business, so please bring a credit/debit card if you wish to purchase and beverages.
Posted on February 28, 2024
Come out to Center of the Universe Brewing Company on July 13th from 2pm – 5pm for the inaugural COTU Bake Sale! Enjoy perusing delicacies from 5+ local bakers as well as some sweetly concocted limited edition brews to wet your whistle. The event is free to attend, takes place inside in the air conditioning, and open to all ages!
Bakers
Donna’s Baking Creations
Honey Baked Bee
KP’s Kakepops
Suzka’s Cakes and Cookies
Beverages
Beer
Wine
Cider
N/A Beverages
Limited Releases
The Yard – Milkshake IPA
Sweet Tooth – Pumpkin Pie Amber Ale
Posted on February 22, 2024
Family Fun Fest
May 18th
2pm-5pm
Come hang at the brewery as we help to raise money for the Henry Clay Elementary and Gandy Elementary PTO with a day full of activities for the whole family. Admission is free and open to all!
Live Music
The Midnight Ukulele Society will be taking the patio stage from 2pm – 5pm. The Midnight Ukulele Society is a ukulele enthusiast and performing group based in the central Virginia/Richmond area.
Food Trucks🍦
Four Cardinals – Featuring chicken fingers, corn dogs, fries, funnel cakes, and more!
Farmview Creamery – farmer owned mobile unit selling fresh, farm-made ice cream as well as flavored milk.
Soda Fountain Bar (100% of the proceeds donated)
Orange Soda
Root Beer
Grape Soda
Fruit Punch
Activities
Indoor Arcade
Live Music
Corn Hole
Can Jam
Raffles
*Dogs on leashes permitted in the outdoor beer garden.
Posted on February 22, 2024
COTU Community Yard Sale
April 13th
2pm – 5pm
Join us for the inaugural COTU Community Yard Sale at Center of the Universe Brewing Company! This in-person event is the perfect opportunity to clean out the attic and sell those treasures and unique items for some spending money this spring. Or, a great time to find some amazing deals while you sip on your favorite beverage. The event will also feature a food truck, live music, and an assortment of beer, wine, cider and non-alcoholic beverages. See ya’ll at the yard sale!
If you want to sign up for a COTU Community Yard Sale space, please read below and visit the ticket link to claim your spot! This link is to reserve a space only. There is no charge to visit and shop the COTU Community Yard Sale. All ages are welcome and well behaved and leashed dogs are permitted in all outdoor areas.
15′ x 15′ Space – $20
10′ x 10′ Space – $15
Vendor Rules
- The COTU Community Yard Sale is for yard sale-style vending only. Businesses are not permitted to participate in this event.
- No weapons or illegal items are permitted to be sold on site.
Vendors in possession of these items will be removed from the grounds with no refund.
- Outside food and non-alcoholic drinks are permitted. Outside alcohol is strictly prohibited by law and will result in removal from the brewery property.
- You are permitted to bring tents, tables, and chairs, so long as everything you bring fits inside of your reserved space.
- Power will not be available on site and all vendors will be responsible for their own sales.
- You are permitted to accept cash and/or charge, but please remember that COTU is a cashless brewery, so we will not have change on site if needed.
- All ages are welcome to participate.
- Load-in must be completed by 1:45. Vehicles are not permitted to be in the vending zone after this time.
- All vendors must stay until 5pm. No vehicles will be allowed in the vending area until this time.
- No refunds will be given with the exception of cancellation by the brewery.
Posted on February 6, 2024
Hey there smarty pants! Test your trivia skills out at Center of the Universe Brewing Co every Thursday from 6:30pm – 8:30pm solo or with a team to win a COTU gift card. Free to attend and play and open to all ages!
While here, enjoy taco specials from Casa Herradura’s mobile kitchen, along with a whole menu of delicious Mexican cuisine!
Posted on February 6, 2024
Join us for Pollinator Fest again this year!
Enjoy delicious beverages, great food, live music, & awesome vendors!
Vendors:
-Twin Hickory Honey
-Kristi Noel Art
-More Trees Together
-Cutting Garden Nursery
Food Truck:
-Flavor Chariot
Live Music:
-Brett Baboorian
Posted on February 5, 2024
Brewski Fest 2024
Date: April 6th
Time: 1pm – 8pm
Cost: Free to attend
Calling all beer and music lovers!
We are rolling out live music, food trucks, and giveaways for a one day bash to celebrate “Brewski” Premium Craft Lager! Admission is free and open to all ages. Well behaved and leashed dogs are welcome in the beer garden.
Band Lineup and Times:
1:00-4:00: Tropical Johnson
5:00-8:00: Bombage Band
Food Truck:
Grateful Grill – Specializing in delicious and creative grilled cheese sandwiches and sides.
Activities:
Indoor Arcade
Corn Hole
Giveaways
Let’s Talk Brewski
Whether you’re into finely crafted small batch artisanal brews or you just enjoy cracking open a cold one after a long shift, we can all agree that beer is pretty great. Brewski brings a little something for everyone. We made this beer with the intention of inviting everybody to the party. The style, a German Dortmunder, is a well balanced and easy drinking lager clocking in at 5% ABV. That said, you are welcome to just ask for the Lager that works as hard as you do, and order up a Brewski!
Posted on January 31, 2024
Hair Today/Bald Tomorrow Music Festivals
March 9th and April 27th
Hair Today: March 9th / 1pm- 8pm
Join us as we kick of the Balderinos fundraising season for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation by hosting a day full of live music, drinks, food, and raffles. The event is free to attend and open to all ages. Who knew doing so much good could be so fun!?
Band Lineup
1:00pm – 2:30pm: “The Crump Tones – Acoustic Duo”
3:00pm – 5:00pm: “Earth and Lunar Rendezvous”
5:30pm – 8:00pm: “Flashlight Tag”
Food – El Guapo
Drink – Beer, Wine, Cider, and Non-Alcoholic Options
🐿️ Be sure to say hi to Nutzy and Natasha from the Richmond Flying Squirrels between 3pm and 4pm!
About St. Baldrick’s Foundation: The St. Baldrick’s Foundation is a volunteer and donor powered charity committed to supporting the most promising research to find cures for childhood cancers and give survivors long and healthy lives.
Bald Tomorrow: April 27th / 1pm – 8pm
The Balderinos are back, and soon to be a little less top heavy, as they put on their final music festival fundraiser for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation and finally shave those heads! Enjoy a full day of live music, drinks, food, and raffles. The event is free to attend and open to all ages. Help us push the Balderinos across the finish line!
Band Lineup
1:00pm – 3:00pm: “Gift Horse”
3:00pm – 5:00pm: “Generations Trio”
5:30pm – 8:00pm: “Vexine”
Food – Boka Tako
Drink – Beer, Wine, Cider, and Non-Alcoholic Options
About St. Baldrick’s Foundation: The St. Baldrick’s Foundation is a volunteer and donor powered charity committed to supporting the most promising research to find cures for childhood cancers and give survivors long and healthy lives.
Posted on January 22, 2024
Let the countdown to the COTU Irish Festival on March 16 from 1-8pm begin!
Brace yourselves for a day filled live music, Irish food, and Irish brews! This is event is open to all ages and admission is free!
Bands:
Buckville Hootenanny @ 1pm
Albafeire @ 5pm
Specialty Brews on Tap:
4 Leaf Lager: A golden elixir that’s luckier than a leprechaun’s pot of gold!
Bald Irishman: A brew so smooth, it’s like a riverdance for your taste buds!
Dry Irish on Nitro: Creamy and dreamy, just like a cozy Irish pub on a misty evening!
Mark your calendar, dust off your dancing shoes, and come join the craic at the COTU Irish Festival!
May your day be filled with music, merriment, and memories to last a lifetime!
Posted on January 22, 2024
Welcome to the inaugural COTU Loggerfest, a celebration of woodcraft, lagers, and wood aged beers! This free event will feature 8 different brews, including limited release lagers, an 18 month wine barrel aged sour, and several cellared barrel aged brews. Along with the featured libations, there will be woodworking demonstrations and vendors showcasing their handmade wood creations. Last, but not least, Chad’s Fault will be hitting the stage with some live music! The event is free and open to all ages, so throw on your finest flannel and head out to the brewery!
Lagers, Sours, and Wood Aged Beers
Brewski Premium Craft Lager
Black Lager
Rice Lager
Bock Lager
Toucan Tropical Lager
Sour Jack
Oakey Pokey
Shut Up Bourbon Barrel Strong Scotch Ale
Live Music from 2pm – 5pm: Chad’s Fault
Chad’s Fault is a Musical Duo covering Country, Southern Rock, Indie, and Blues.
Woodcarving Demonstrations by: James River Woodcarvers
James River Woodcarvers provide guidance and assistance to all area woodcarvers, from novice to expert. They promote wider community interest in woodcarving through demonstrations, educational activities, fellowship, and friendly competitions. More info at
www.jrcarvers.com
Promotional Sponsor and Club Host: Woodcraft of Richmond
We’re a local, family-owned woodworking tool and supply store. We offer woodworking classes for beginners to experts. We offer a wide range of woodworking equipment, woodworking supplies, hardwood lumber, finishes, hardware and much more.
Posted on January 22, 2024
Calling all Chocolate Lovers! Join us at the brewery on February 10th from 1pm – 5pm for our 4th annual Chocolate Fest! Enjoy a limited selection of 8 different chocolate beers while shopping for your Valentine in our vendor area featuring chocolates, sweets, candles, greeting cards and jewelry! This indoor event is free to attend and open to all ages.
Vendors
Taylor Made Chocolates
Hand Made Card Factory
Boozy Bundt Cocktail Cakes
Hill and River Collection
Saffron Treasures
Food Truck – Moniques Crepes
Chocolate Beer Variants.
Lime
Mint
Grape
Peanutbutter Caramel
Habanero
Espresso
Coconut Caramel
Admission to this event is free and open to all ages! Come bring your sweetie or just your fellow chocolate lovers!
Posted on October 23, 2023
The tracks are lit, our spirits are warming, and there is a nip in the air. That means it’s time to drag out your Holiday best and head into Ashland for the 5th annual Jolly Jaunt!
New this year is the Classic Holliday theme in recognition of the 75th Anniversary of Ashland Theatre. So whether you dust off that finely knitted sweater, a holiday costume, or your Sunday best, the Jolly Jaunt is your place for holiday cheer. Cruise around town visiting participating locations and then join us at Ashland Theatre for a concert! Proceeds from the ticket sales support the Ashland Theatre and its mission.
Date: December 9th
Crawl Time: 6pm – 8pm
Concert @ Ashland Theatre: 8pm – 10:30pm
Cost: $25
(CREDIT CARD PURCHASES ONLY, ORIGIN WILL NOT BE ACCEPTING CASH FOR JAUNT TICKETS)
Age: 21+ Only
Dress: Classic Holiday Attire
Tickets Now on Sale at Origin Beer Lab
📍 Stop Locations 📍
Ashland Meat Company/The Depot
Ashland Tattoo
Caboose Market and Cafe
Caravati’s
Center of the Yarniverse
Iron Horse Restaurant
Origin Beer Lab
RefunkIt
Tiny Tim’s Trains
Trackside
What is Included in the $25 Ticket:
*Passport Card
*Entry to the exclusive Jolly Jaunt Concert at Ashland Theatre featuring live music from “Don’t Ask Ned,” raffles, and access to a cash bar and concessions.
The Details: The crawl will start at 6:00pm and last until 8:00pm. You can start and stop at any location you choose. Once your card is filled up by visiting at least 4 of the stops, head on over to Ashland Theatre at 8pm to turn your card in for free admission to the concert. The event is being capped at 250 participants, so make sure you purchase your passport card early!
This is a 21+ only event.
The Passport Card: Passport cards will be sold at Origin Beer Lab for $25 starting on November 9th at 4pm (CREDIT CARD PURCHASES ONLY FOR JOLLY JAUNT TICKETS, ORIGIN WILL NOT BE ACCEPTING CASH) and are to be used only on December 9th during the 6:00pm – 8:00pm crawl time. These cards, once completely filled out, can be turned in at Ashland Theatre as your ticket to the afterparty. Only 1 card can be redeemed per person. There are no goods, services, or discounts provided through the passport card at the participating stop locations, unless those locations specifically say so. Net proceeds from the sale of the cards will go to Ashland Theatre Foundation.
After Party at Ashland Theatre:
There will be live music, 2 cash bars featuring beer, wine, specialty cocktails, and concessions! Dance the night away, be jolly, and support Ashland Theatre!
Posted on October 11, 2023
Dude! It is time to get those bathrobes out and head to Carytown for the annual Bathrobe Bar Crawl! Arrive at the Byrd Theatre at 3:00 to pick up your papers (crawl card) and venture around to the spots below to collect your stamp/sticker/initials before you return to the Byrd Theatre for a showing of The Big Lebowski. Don’t miss your chance to join fellow dude and dudettes as you venture up and down Carytown in your finest threads!
Stop Locations
BBQ Chicken and Beer
Burger Bach
Mellow Mushroom
New York Deli
Be sure to purchase your Big Lebowski ticket in advance https://byrdtheatre.org/programming/the-big-lebyrdski/
Posted on September 20, 2023
Get Rover ready to show off his best tricks and his cutest costume, Growl-O-Ween is back! Join us at Center of the Universe Brewing Co. as we hold our favorite dog-themed event.
We’re teaming up with the Hanover Humane society to raise money to fund their mission of educating the people of Hanover County about the proper treatment of animals and rescuing animals and caring for them until they find their forever home.
We’ve got a ton going on for this event, Buckville Hootenanny will be rocking out live on the beer garden stage, and Smoky Joes BBQ is going to be serving up some delicious eats from 2-5. We’ll also have a ton of dog themed events going on including a costume competition and trick competitions!
So load up the car and come on out to enjoy a beer and show of what your dog can do!
*This event is free to attend and open to all aged. For the safety or all dogs and humans present, please keep your dog on a leash for the duration of the event
Posted on August 24, 2023
Racers, start your engines! Welcome to the inaugural COTU Pedal Cart Racing Grand Prix for charity taking place at Center of the Universe Brewing Co on Saturday, October 7th. Grab your friends and form a team or go solo to compete in this oversized big wheel race to glory. All donations benefit RABA’s Bikes for Kids by way of Richmond Raceway Cares 
A $5 donation is suggested per race and racer. All proceeds benefit RABA’s Bikes for Kids via the Richmond Raceway Cares Foundation.
- Racers, aged 10+, are welcome to head to the brewery and race their friends, family, or complete strangers on a quick 2-lap course in the parking lot. Show up any time between 1pm and 5pm to add your name to the wait list. Winners receive bragging rights!
- Pedal carts are provide for all racers.
- Bike helmets are not provided or required, but reccomended.
- All participants are required to show an ID and sign a waiver prior to racing. All under 18 racers will require a guardian waiver signature and ID prior to racing.
- Racers will be on the track on a first come first served basis.
- Children aged 10 – 17 will only race against those in that age group.
- Any unauthorized or dangerous behavior on the course will result in removal from the track.
ABOUT RABA’S BIKES FOR KIDS
RABA Foundation, a 501-c3 organization and the charity nonprofit arm of the Richmond Area Bicycling Association (www.raba.org), raises money to purchase and build bicycles and then donate to Richmond metro area charities. Those charities provide bicycles to children in need so that they may be able to have a more joyful holiday experience. Our nonprofit partners include the Christmas Mother programs in several counties and cities in or surrounding Richmond, VA, and elementary schools in the East End of Richmond. The fundraising and bike giveaway to other nonprofits started in 1999, and the RABA Foundation has given away 5000+ children’s bicycles to date. The program provided 550 bikes in 2022!
ABOUT RICHMOND RACEWAY CARES
GET INVOLVED. SHARE A SMILE. MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
Richmond Raceway Cares is the community arm of Richmond Raceway. Through partnerships with hundreds of organizations in Central Virginia, we host special events and have strategic alliances that allow us to give a great deal of financial support to well-deserving groups in the Richmond area.
Posted on August 21, 2023
Come rock with us German style at ROCKtoberfest! We’re hosting 3 awesome bands here for a day full of rockin music, beer, food trucks, stein hoisting, arcade, and more! Free to attend and open to all ages. Dogs on leashes welcome in the Beer Garden.
Band Lineup:
1:00pm… James River Junction
6:00pm… The Wybros
Food Truck:
Cocky Rooster
German Beers:
Oktoberfest
Kölsch
Amber Kellerbier
Brewski Dortmunder
Stein Hoisting Premlinary contest starts at 3:30pm with the main event taking place at 4:00pm 
Stein Hoisting Details
Preliminaries Format
Contestants will be given 2 glass liter steins full of water to hold in each hand. Contestants will then all raise the steins together straight out at their sides. Any contestant that spills the water and/or lowers their arm(s) at any point during the competition are eliminated until only 1 person remains. First and second place will receive a COTU prize pack and a slot into the main event taking place at the brewery at 4pm on September 23rd. Entry into the preliminary contest is free of charge. Must be 21+ to participate.
Preliminary Locations/Dates/Times
August 12th @ 4:30pm: Center of the Universe Brewing
September 2nd @ 5pm: Origin Beer Lab
September 9th @ 5pm: PBR Richmond
September 23rd @ 3:30pm: Center of the Universe Brewing
More to Come!
Main Event Format
Contestants will be given 2 glass liter steins full of water to hold in each hand. Contestants will then all raise the steins together straight out at their sides. Any contestant that spills the water and/or lowers their arm(s) at any point during the competition are eliminated until only 1 person remains. Entrance into the main event is through the preliminary events only, including the day of preliminary event at the brewery.
Prizes
1st Place: $250
2nd Place: $100 COTU Gift Card
3rd Place: $50 COTU Gift Card
Posted on August 21, 2023
Round up your friends, family, and neighbors for the 5th Annual Circle-Up BBQ Throwdown, benefiting Circles Ashland. 4 BBQ vendors, 2 awesome bands, and 1 great cause are all you need on a Summer Saturday. There will also be 50/50 raffles, a new custom brew, an indoor arcade, and yard games! As always, the event is FREE to attend and open to all ages.
BBQ VENDORS
Bar-q
Daddy’s Baby BBQ
Jake’s Place
RVA BBQ
BBQ COMPETITION
A panel of 10 judges will taste 1 Chicken, Pork, and Beef dish from each of our incredibly talented BBQ Vendors. They will deliberate at the festival, and trophies will be awarded. There will also be a special Overall Winner Award which will be comprised of the top finisher in all 3 categories.
MUSICAL GUESTS
Road Kill Roy
1:00pm – 4:00pm
Out of Uniform
4:00-7:00pm
CIRCLES ASHLAND
Circles Ashland is a local non-profit offering relationship-based, community-driven initiatives that inspire, inform, and equip individuals, families, and community to resolve poverty and thrive.
Circles Ashland connects middle- and upper-income community members with motivated people in our community who are experiencing poverty for a two-year, in-depth, and intentional relationship that connects the person in poverty with support, education, networks, and resources in Ashland. We also work to inform the local community about systemic barriers to overcoming poverty and how to eliminate those barriers using strategies that work right here in Ashland.
At Circles Ashland, we believe poverty is an issue that requires “all hands on deck”- community residents, businesses, local government, other non-profits, friends, neighbors.
Find out more about their great cause here: https://circlesashland-va.org
Posted on July 31, 2023
Do you think you have what it takes to take home the Inaugural Rocktoberfest Stein Hoisting Championship? If so, be sure to join us for one of our preliminary stein hoisting events around Richmond for your chance earn a spot to the main event taking place at Center of the Universe Brewing Company on September 23rd.
Preliminaries Format
Contestants will be given 2 glass liter steins full of water to hold in each hand. Contestants will then all raise the steins together straight out at their sides. Any contestant that spills the water and/or lowers their arm(s) at any point during the competition are eliminated until only 1 person remains. First and second place will receive a COTU prize pack and a slot into the main event taking place at the brewery at 4pm on September 23rd. Entry into the preliminary contest is free of charge. Must be 21+ to participate.
Preliminary Locations/Dates/Times
August 12th @ 4:30pm: Center of the Universe Brewing
August 24th @ 5:30pm: Fest
August 29th @ 4:30pm: Capital Ale House Innsbrook
September 2nd @ 5pm: Origin Beer Lab
September 9th @ 5pm: PBR Richmond
September 16th @ 5pm: Jack Brown’s Richmond
September 23rd @ 2:30pm: Center of the Universe Brewing
Main Event Format
September 23rd at 4pm at Center of the Universe Brewing Co
Contestants will be given 2 glass liter steins full of water to hold in each hand. Contestants will then all raise the steins together straight out at their sides. Any contestant that spills the water and/or lowers their arm(s) at any point during the competition are eliminated until only 1 person remains. Entrance into the main event is through the preliminary events only, including the day of preliminary event at the brewery.
Prizes
1st Place: $250
2nd Place: $100 COTU Gift Card
3rd Place: $50 COTU Gift Card
Main Event Location
Center of the Universe Brewing Co
11293 Airpark Rd.
Ashland, VA 23005
Posted on June 20, 2023
Join CJ’s Thumbs Up Foundation for our annual Music Fest on Saturday, July 29th at Center of the Universe Brewing Company! Come enjoy great music, food and much more, all for a good cause!
We will be announcing the band lineup and our special guests very soon!
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