Celebrate Highwood hosts l Bloody Mary Fest

Now in its ninth year, Highwood's annual Bloody Mary Fest will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 29, in Everts Park, 130 Highwood Ave., Highwood. Vendors from near and far will compete for the title of "Best Bloody Mary in the Midwest."

Mixologists from competing bars and restaurants will have the opportunity to share their 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.

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 Master of Mixes and Van Gogh Vodka, who will provide a bottle of Van Gogh Vodka to each competitor to concoct their creation.

Returning to defend their titles among determined competitors will be People's Choice winner for six years running Toadstool Pub; 2017 Judge's Choice and Best Garnish winner Scotty's on Sheridan; and 2017 Most Creative winner La Casa De Issac.

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 Highwood Alderman.

"We love tasting all the amazing flavors and seeing the elaborate garnishes people come up with."

For those eager to begin tasting without waiting in lines, a limited number of Guaranteed Rate FastPass wristbands are available for advance purchase on the Bloody Mary Fest event page at www.CelebrateHighwood.org/bloody-mary-fest, enabling holders to jump the line for 10 drinks throughout the day. The cost for a FastPass is $25 and does not include drink price. FastPass pickup will take place at the ticket booth on festival day.

Bloody Mary Fest attendees will enjoy food, drinks and live entertainment by Jennifer Fletcher and the Reckoning, and Tim Gleason Band. For those that may not be Bloody Mary fans, the fest will also offer plenty of activities and other beverages for attendees of all ages.

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