10th Annual Bloody Mary Fest Featuring The Best Of The Best

HIGHWOOD, IL (JULY 28, 2019) – Celebrate Highwood is proud to be celebrating the 10th anniversary of it renowned Bloody Mary Fest! This 10th year will feature the “BEST OF THE BEST”, as contestants have been pre-judged by Chicago’s own Bloody Mary expert Jason Pirock of Eat, Drink and Bloody Mary, and a team of Bloody Mary aficionados. The competition for the title of ‘Best Bloody Mary in the Midwest’ will take place on Sunday, July 28th from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. in Everts Park (130 Highwood Ave), with winners announced at 4:30 p.m.

The top 15 mixologists from competing bars and restaurants have been chosen, and will have the opportunity to share their one-of-a-kind recipes with the public while attempting to create the ultimate Bloody Mary including, 28 Mile Vodka Company, 210Live, Elsie Mae’s Canning & Pies of Kenosha, Wisconsin, Greenwood, La Casa de Isaac, Lucky Fish/The Mean Wiener, Maevery Public House, Santi’s Gardens, Scotty's on Sheridan, The Humble Pub, The Toadstool Pub , Valor & Culinary Gangster Food Truck, Washington Gardens and The Wooden Nickel. Contestants are evaluated on taste, presentation, spice, color, texture and garnish.

The competition includes a ‘People’s Choice Award,’ as well as formal judging on the ‘Best Bloody Mary’ and ‘Best Garnish’ by some of Chicago’s leading media personalities, and food and beverage experts including: Lee A. Litas, Freelance Food and Features Writer for Chicago Tribune/Pioneer Press, Kemmie Ryan, Senior Special Projects Editor for JWC Media, Sheridan Road, North Shore Weekend and Daily North Shore, Andrew Nicks, President at 22nd Century Media, Marjie Killeen, Editor in Chief of NS Modern Luxury, Jason Pirock, from Eat, Drink and Bloody Mary, and Mark Czubak, restaurant/bar industry veteran and now with Glunz Wines.

The battle for the Best Bloody Mary starts at 2 p.m. when the judges will evaluate each contestant’s take on the classic drink. People’s Choice ballots can be cast in front of the judges stage until 4 p.m., and winners of both the Judge’s and People’s Choice will be announced at 4:30 p.m.

Bloody Mary Fest is sponsored by Miss Mary’s Morning Elixir Bloody Mary Mix and Tito’s Handmade Vodka, who will provide a bottle of Tito’s to each competitor to concoct their creation. The winners of Bloody Mary Fest will be rewarded with a trophy, mass recognition throughout the local media, and bragging rights for the entire year!

Returning to defend their titles amongst determined competitors will be 2018 People’s Choice winner for 7-years running Toadstool Pub, 2018 Judge’s Choice winner Valor & Culinary Gangster Food Truck of Glencoe, Best Garnish winner, Scotty's on Sheridan, and Most Creative winner, Elsie Mae’s Canning & Pies of Kenosha, Wisconsin.

Attendees will enjoy Bloody Mary’s from over 15 different vendors and a selection of craft beer from local Ravinia Brewing Co., as well as plenty of food, drink, artisan vendors, and live entertainment by Front Burner from noon - 3 p.m. and The Shelter Dogs Band from 3:30 – 5 p.m.

For those that may not be Bloody Mary fans don’t fret, the Fest will also offer plenty of activities and other beverages for attendees of all ages. Making it easily accessible, Highwood is a stop on the Union Pacific North Metra line and is only a short walk to the Fest grounds at Evert’s Park.

“Highwood's Annual Bloody Mary Fest brings the entire community together and attracts thousands of visitors from all over Chicagoland, including Wisconsin and Indiana," says Eric Falberg, President of Celebrate Highwood and Highwood Alderman. “We love tasting all the amazing flavors and seeing the elaborate garnishes people come up with. It truly is a must see event.”

Special thanks to the Celebrate Highwood Bloody Mary Fest Ballot Sponsor, Highland Park Bank & Trust/Bank of Fort Sheridan, and Bloody Mary Fest Sponsors, Chiro One Wellness Centers, Expedia Cruise Ship Centers, M. Brad Slavin Farmers Insurance, Miss Mary’s Morning Elixir, Passante’s Home Food Services, Ravinia Brewing Company, Renewal by Anderson, Tito’s Handmade Vodka

For more information on Bloody Mary Fest, please visit https://www.celebratehighwood.org/bloody-mary-fest/.

For more information on all of Celebrate Highwood’s 2010 series of family friendly festivals and events, please visit www.celebratehighwood.org or www.facebook.com/celebratehighwood.

ABOUT CELEBRATE HIGHWOOD:

Celebrate Highwood is a 501(c)(3) non-profit public charity established in August 2016. Managed and operated by volunteers, our mission is to bring community together to raise funds for local and national charities. Through producing events that cater to the citizens, businesses and visitors of Highwood, our goal is give back, build strong community spirit, and establish Highwood as THE prime entertainment destination for dining, festivals and events on the North Shore. For more information on all of Highwood’s festivals, please visit www.CelebrateHighwood.org, www.facebook.com/celebratehighwood, or call 847-432-6000.

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