The Southeast Tourism Society (STS) has named the Bowling Green Bourbon & Brewfest one of the STS Top 20 Events in the Southeast for October 2018. This year’s event is Oct. 13 at the Bowling Green Ballpark.
More than two dozen craft breweries and distilleries are on tap for the fourth annual Bourbon & Brewfest, and food trucks will line the ballfield to complement the spirits and hops.
“We are extremely excited for the 2018 Bowling Green Bourbon & Brewfest! It’s hard to believe we’re on our fourth year of the event,” said Blake Blackburn, one of the event’s partners. “Along with the representation of bourbon and craft beer companies, we cannot stress the importance of local sponsors, food trucks and vendors. These businesses really bring the festival to life and give the guests things to do, enjoy and purchase beyond drink sampling. When you combine a community of local entrepreneurs committed to serving festival goers along with brand representatives from distilleries and breweries, you get an immersive and intimate experience that is hard to replicate.”
“We are so excited to be named one of the Top 20 events by the Southeast Tourism Society, said Cody Turner, another partner. “With the help of the CVB, we are proud to continue to bring our community to the national stage as one of the fastest growing, locally-owned events.
We can’t thank Bowling Green and our sponsors enough for the continued support. We look forward to hosting Brewfest IV this Oct. 13 at the Hot Rod›s stadium. We have a ton of new features on tap this year, such as a dedicated VIP/sponsors entrance, two new food vendors in VIP (a big shout out to Donatos and Bojangles’), some incredibly rare bourbons, and a huge focus on Kentucky craft beer.”
This is the first year that the Bourbon & Brewfest was eligible to be nominated for this honor.
“We’re not surprised that the Bowling Green Bourbon & Brewfest was named a Top 20 event in its first year of eligibility,” said Vicki Fitch, Executive Director of the Bowling Green Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Experiences involving craft beer and bourbon have become tourism draws across the country, and we’re glad Blake, Cody and the rest of their team had the vision to create such an event for Bowling Green.”
The STS Top 20 Festival and Event Awards have highlighted programs around the Southeast since 1985. Travel industry experts select 20 events per month, and STS publicizes them throughout the United States. The complete list is published on two websites: EscapeToTheSoutheast.com and Travel Media Press Room.
“The Southeast is home to unique and memorable events throughout the year,” said Bill Hardman, president and CEO of the Southeast Tourism Society.
“In spotlighting the Top 20 festivals and events each month, STS is not only giving these events the recognition they deserve but we’re also creating a quick reference guide to some of the best festivals in the Southeast. These events are important to the economic vitality of our communities and this is a way for us to acknowledge the time and resources organizers have tirelessly spent to create memories for their attendees.”
Events considered for the STS Top 20 recognition must be at least three years old and have attendance of at least 1,000. The online nomination link and submission deadlines are available at SoutheastTourism.org or by calling 770-542- 1523.
To learn more about the Bowling Green Bourbon & Brewfest, visit www.bgbrewfest.com. STS, founded in 1983 and headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting tourism to and within 12 states – Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.