Bloody Mary Fest
Celebrating our 10th Anniversary!
July 28, 2019
Celebrate Highwood is proud to be celebrating the 10th anniversary of its renowned Bloody Mary Fest! This year will feature the BEST OF THE BEST, as contestants will be pre-judged to be a part of the 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 some of Chicago’s leading media personalities. Attendees will have more than 15 different Bloody Mary vendors to choose from. Along with live music, there will also be a large assortment of food and specialty artisan vendors.
Sunday, July 28, 2019
Hours: 10am-5pm
Location: Everts Park | 102 Highwood Ave. Highwood, Illinois 60040
Free Admission
Ticket Purchase Required for Alcohol Sales (no refunds on ticket sales)
Rain or Shine Event
Kid & Pet Friendly
BYOC - "Bring Your Own Chair” and/or Blanket
No Outside Food or Beverages
No Smoking or Vaping
Parking Information
Volunteers Needed!
Volunteer to Sell Tickets
Meet the Judges
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. Contestants are evaluated on taste, presentation, spice, color, texture and garnish.
Vote People’s Choice Award
With the purchase of tickets to buy cocktails, each attendee receives 1 blue ticket to vote for your favorite Bloody Mary. After you sample a variety of our competitors's Bloody Mary’s, don’t forget to cast your vote for the People’s Choice award. The ballot boxes for each competitor are located in front of the judging stage. We’re on the honor system here folks, so please…one vote per festival attendee! Thank you to our ballot sponsor Highland Park Bank & Trust and Bank of Highwood-Fort Sheridan.
What's Happening at Bloody Mary Fest
View list of Bloody Mary Competitors
Bloody Mary Competitors
Vendors marked ** are Previous Winners
| Vendor | Product |
|---|---|
| 28 Mile Vodka Company | 28 Mile Bloody Mary's; grilled Kosher beef salami w/ choice of bbq sauce & spicy brown mustard |
| 210 Live ** | Light bites, 210 Live merchandise; Sangria & Bloody Mary's |
| La Casa de Isaac | Tacos, quesadilla, chips, salsa, guacomole, tamales, margaritas, beer, Bloody Mary's and more! |
| Elsie Mae's Cannery & Pies ** | Elsie's Original Bloody Mary's, Bunny Mary's, Hot Lips Habanero Bloody Mary's, Tomatillo Bloody Mary's; Bloody Mary mixes (Original, Bunny, Hot Lips, Tomatillo), fruit alcohol shake-ups, mini pies, pot pies, quiche, jams |
| Greenwood | Bloody Maria's & Bloody Mary's |
| The Humble Pub | Sweet, savory and spicy Wisconsin style Bloody Mary w/ beer back; a selection of frozen cocktails |
| Lucky Fish & Mean Wiener | Fried shrimp, fries, assorted beverages; Bloody Mary's |
| Maevery Public House ** | The Bloody Maevery (our "famous" house Bloody Mary with garnish) |
| Scotty's on Sheridan ** | Bloody Mary's, sangrias, Rose & Pinot Grigio wine, Texas mules |
| The Toadstool Pub ** | "Highwood-famous" Bloody Mary's, grapefrult growlers, lemon loopers and a variety of mixed drinks |
| Valor & Culinary Gangster Food Truck ** | Bloody Mary's, watermelon lemonade, various craft cocktails, popcorn cauliflower, quinoa, burgers and more! |
| Washington Gardens | A full service bar featuring fan-favorite market bartenders Bobby & Moe. The menu includes the ever-popular "Moe-Tais", gazpacho Bloody Mary's, wine and more! |
Cocktail Vendors
Vendors marked ** are Previous Winners
| Vendor | Product |
|---|---|
| Gourmet Frog Bakery | Mojitos, screwdrivers, Bloody Mary's; quiches, tamales, tarts |
| Jimmy Luv's Bloody Mary Mix | Jimmy Luv's Bloody Mary Mix Bloody Mary's in 16 & 9 oz. sizes |
| Miss Mary's Bloody Mary Mix ** | Bloody Mary's featuring Miss Mary's Bloody Mary Mix in two flavors, Original and Bold & Spicy |
| Popcorn Jester, Juice Jester | Spiked electric lemonade shake-ups, non-alcoholic lemonade shake-ups, popcorn |
Food and Beverage Vendors
| Vendor | Product |
|---|---|
| Best Truckin' BBQ Food Truck | A variety of barbecue sandwiches including brisket, chicken and pork; burgers; sides include fries, hush puppies, slaw, cheese curds and more! |
| Eden's Garden Food Truck | Salads, wraps, quinoa, vegan burgers, mahi sandwiches; watermelon vodka lemonade, sweet tea vodka lemonade; many gluten free vege/vegan options; local organic farm-to-truck |
| Longitude315 | Churrascos, South American pulled pork over rice and beans and empanadas |
| Magic Circle Crepes | Sweet & savory crepes, soda, bottled water |
| Señor Corn | Corn on the cob roasted with toppings; packets of Cheetos & Takis; flavored water & soda |
| Taquizas El Poblanito | Tacos: beef, pork, chicken, chorizo, fish; cemitas with beef or pork; enchiladas green salsa or mole with choice of protein; soda, bottled water |
| Toasty Cheese Food Truck | Gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches. Also served up from scratch gourmet fries, soups, and vegetarian and gluten-free selections. |
Artisan Vendors
| Vendor | Product |
|---|---|
| Amy's Upcycled Candles | 100% soy candles made from liquor bottles |
| Buddha Heart Shop & Tranquillo Chi | Buddha Heart Shop: Handmade metaphysical jewelry, tie dyes, hair & festival accessories, dog accessories, organic herbal body products, hemp/CBD products, gems, crystals, minerals, healing tools, dream catchers, stickers, photography, artwork, wind chimes, upcycled clothing; Tranquillo Chi: Healing arts of vibrational sound therapy, Lemurian quartz crystal chakra cleansing lights w/ binaural beats, Reiki & Thai bodywork |
| Clear Candle | All-natural, refillable illuminating candle art |
| The Copper Dragonfly | Jewelry made from copper, semi-precious gemstones and silicone; copper dust magnets, rain chains and suncatchers |
| Foot Path Trading | Handmade purses, crocheted hemp hats, silver jewelry, jackets, ladies clothing, tapestries and more |
| Scentsy | Candle warmers, candle melts, diffuser warmer and candle accesorries |
| The Sheet Lady | Sheet sets in a variety of colors and bamboo pillows |
| Superhero For Hire, Artist Customs | Custom t-shirts and custom artwork |
| Up In Smoke Creations | Smoked mixed nuts, peanuts, cashews, almonds, pecans, pistachios, Macadamia nuts |
| Wanderlust Sea Salt | Infused nordic flake sea salt including garlic, lemon, onion and pickle flavors; olive oil |
2019 Bands
| Time | Band |
|---|---|
| 12pm - 3pm | Front Burner |
| 3:30pm- 5pm | The Shelter Dogs Band |
Tim Gleason & Rachel Irene of the Tim Gleason Band perform “Bloody Mary Morning”.
Video provided by Coffee Cup Productions.
