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Pick your favorite Bloody Mary at Highwood fest

Highwood's eighth annual Bloody Mary Fest will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, July 30, in Everts Park, 130 Highwood Ave.

Vendors from near and far will travel to Highwood to shake up their unique recipes in competition for the title of "Best Bloody Mary in the Midwest."

Mixologists from competing bars and restaurants will have the opportunity to share their one-of-a-kind recipes with the public while attempting to create the ultimate Bloody Mary.

The competition includes a People's Choice Award, as well as formal judging on the Best Bloody Mary and Best Garnish by Chicago area media personalities, including: Julie Chernoff, Dining Editor at Make it Better; Lee Litas, columnist for the Chicago Tribune/Pioneer Press; Andrew Nicks, president at 22nd Century Media; and Sherry Thomas, group editor at JWC Media.

Contestants will be evaluated on taste, presentation, spice, color, texture and garnish.

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. Winners of both the Judge's and People's Choice will be announced at 4:30 p.m.

Bloody Mary Fest is sponsored by Master of Mixes and Van Gogh Vodka, which will provide a bottle vodka to each competitor to concoct their creation. The winners of Bloody Mary Fest will be rewarded with a trophy, recognition through local media, and bragging rights for the entire year.

The 2016 People's Choice winner and reigning titleholder for five years running, Toadstool Pub, will be back competing among many other determined competitors and attempt to hold on to their well-deserved title.

Bloody Mary Fest attendees will enjoy plenty of food, drink, live entertainment by various artists and a selection of craft beer from local Kings and Convicts brewery, which brews ales and pilsners with hops and malts from the United States, Australia, New Zealand and England.

"Highwood's Annual Bloody Mary Fest brings the entire community together and attracts thousands of visitors from all over Chicagoland, including Wisconsin and Indiana," said Eric Falberg, president of Celebrate Highwood and Bloody Mary Fest judge.

"We love tasting all the amazing flavors and seeing the elaborate garnishes people come up with. It truly is a must see event."

Highwood is a stop on the Union Pacific North Metra line and it's only a short walk to the festival grounds at Everts Park.

For those who may not be Bloody Mary fans, the festival will also offer plenty of activities and other beverages for attendees of all ages. For information on Bloody Mary Fest, follow Celebrate Highwood on Facebook, visit celebratehighwood.org or call (847) 432-6000.

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