Submitted photo A variety of bourbon and related vendors will be on hand today at The Commons for the Eighth Annual Bourbonfest.
General admission tickets remain for today’s Columbus Indiana Philharmonic Eighth Annual Bourbonfest from 3 to 5 p.m. at The Commons, 300 Washington St. in downtown Columbus.
The fundraiser is one in which attendees try samples served by the top local and national bourbon distributors.
The event attracted 500 people last year and raised a gross of $38,000 with more than 30 vendors, according to organizers.
The goal was to generate between $40,000 and $50,000. The 2022 crowd of 300-plus netted slightly more than $30,000 for the cause of music education. It also will fund activities such as small pop-up concerts downtown.
The event also has been a unique way amid the growing bourbon craze for the professional orchestra to catch the attention of young ticket buyers who may never have attended a local orchestral concert. That element is significant since orchestras nationwide have been working harder to attract younger attendees in general. And a number of younger Bourbonfest attendees have said that they later attended a Philharmonic concert, and consider the fundraiser to be a good entry point for those new to live orchestra concerts.
The gathering includes an auction that includes what organizers call The Battle of the Banks. Several local banks have filled baskets with special bourbons for bidders.
The fundraiser also salutes and showcases the bourbon-making process and the storied history of the industry, according to the event’s promotional material. Bourbon distilleries and local establishments will display their goods, give out swag, and serve drink samples.
Information and tickets: https://www.thecip.org/event-directory/bourbonfest.
