Bloody Mary Fest
July 29, 2018
Mixologists from near and far will shake up their special recipes and compete for the title of the Best Bloody Mary in the Midwest. Judged by a panel of “celebrity experts” and “the people,” contestants will be evaluated on a combination of categories ranging from taste, presentation, garnish and more! 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.
And the winners of the 9th Annual Bloody Mary Fest are...
| Judges Choice Bloody Mary | |
|---|---|
| 1st Place: | Valor & Culinary Gangster Food Truck of Glencoe |
| 2nd Place: | The Toadstool Pub of Highwood |
| 3rd Place | Elsie Mae’s Canning & Pies of Kenosha WI |
| People’s Choice Bloody Mary | |
|---|---|
| 1st Place: | The Toadstool Pub of Highwood |
| 2nd Place: | 210 Live of Highwood |
| 3rd Place | Miss Mary’s Bloody Mary Mix of Port Washington, Wisconsin |
| Best Garnish: | Scotty’s on Sheridan of Highwood |
| Most Creative: | Elsie Mae’s Canning & Pies of Kenosha, WI |
Meet the Judges
Formal judging on the ‘Best Bloody Mary’ and ‘Best Garnish’ by some of Chicago’s leading media personalities, including: Lee A. Litas, Freelance Food and Features Writer for Chicago Tribune/Pioneer Press, Sherry Thomas, Group Media Editor of JWC Media, Sheridan Road, North Shore Weekend and Daily North Shore, Andrew Nicks, President at 22nd Century Media, Susan Noyes, founder of the Make It Better Foundation, Monica Pedersen, HGTVtelevision host and interior designer, and Eric Falberg, Highwood Alderman and founder of Bloody Mary Fest. Contestants are evaluated on taste, presentation, spice, color, texture and garnish.
Sunday, July 29
Hours: 10am-5pm
Location: Everts Park | 130 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
Parking Information
Volunteers Needed!
Volunteer to Sell Tickets Here
FastPass Sales
Price: $25
Avoid long lines and purchase the Guaranteed Rate FastPass, a wristband with 10 pull tabs. Accepted at all cocktail vendors, the FastPass allows you to jump the line and collect 1 drink per tab. The price of the FastPass does not include the price of the drink. Purchase your Guaranteed Rate FastPass at any ticket booth on-site or pre-purchase at the link below. There is a limited supply. When they’re gone...they’re gone!
*FastPass pick-up at ticket booth on festival day.
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
| Vendor | Product | 2017 Awards | 2018 Awards |
|---|---|---|---|
| 210 Live | 210 "special" Bloody Mary's | 2nd Place Winner for People's Choice! | |
| La Casa de Isaac | Tacos, quesadilla, chips, salsa, guacomole, tamales, margaritas, beer, Bloody Mary's and more! | Winner for Most Creative! | |
| Elsie Mae's Cannery & Pies | Elsie's Original Bloody Mary's, Bunny Mary's, Hot Lips Habanero Bloody Mary's; Bloody Mary mixes (Original, Bunny, Hot Lips), lemonade, lemonade concentrate, mini pies, jams | 2018 Taco Fest Winner for Best Unique Taco for make-your-own dessert tacos! | Winner for Most Creative & 3rd Place Winner for Judge's Choice! |
| Gourmet Frog Bakery | Quiches, tarts, cakes, tamales, Bloody Mary’s, mojitos, screwdrivers | ||
| The Humble Pub | "Humble" Bloody Mary's, full service bar including frozen drinks, vodka, whiskey, rum and gin | ||
| Maevery Public House | Bloody Maevery's | 2nd Place Winner for Judge's Choice, 2nd Place Winner for People's Choice, 2nd Place Winner for Best Garnish and 3rd Place Winner for Most Creative! | |
| Mean Wiener & Lucky Fish | Fried shrimp, fries, hot dogs, wings, churros, Bloody Mary's and assorted cocktails | ||
| Mickey Finn's | Bloody Mary's served w/ 4 oz. chaser of one of Mickey Finn's handcrafted beers | ||
| Miss Mary's Bloody Mary Mix | Bloody Mary's featuring Miss Mary's Bloody Mary Mix in two flavors, Original and Bold & Spicy | 3rd Place Winner for People's Choice! | |
| Pavilion Restaurant & Lounge | Pavilion signature Bloody Mary & Bloody Maria's, champagne, mimosa, screwdrivers | ||
| The Ram Restaurant & Brewery | Small Mary's, Proud Mary's | ||
| Santi's Gardens | Bloody Mary's, margaritas, corn on the cob | ||
| Scotty's on Sheridan | Bloody Mary's, sangrias, Rose & Pinot Grigio wine, Texas mules | Winner for Best Garnish and Winner for Judge's Choice, 3rd Place Winner for People's Choice! | Winner for Best Garnish for 2nd year in a row! |
| Superb Grill | Brisket, rib tips, grilled hot wings, jerk chicken, fries | ||
| The Toadstool Pub | "Highwood-famous" Bloody Mary's, grapefrult growlers, lemon loopers and a variety of mixed drinks | Winner for People's Choice for 6 years in a row, 3rd Place Winner for Judge's Choice, 3rd Place Winner for Best Garnish, 2nd Place Winner for Most Creative! | Winner for People's Choice for 7th year in a row & 2nd Place Winner for Judge's Choice! |
| Valor & Culinary Gangster Food Truck | Bloody Mary's, watermelon lemonade, various craft cocktails, popcorn cauliflower, quinoa, burgers | Winner for Judge's Choice! | |
| 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! | ||
| The Wooden Nickel | Bloody Mary's, naughty Annie's, basil lemonade, peach tea, margaritas, wine, shots! |
Cocktail Vendors
| Vendor | Product |
|---|---|
| Jimmy Luv Enterprises | Jimmy Luv's Bloody Mary Mix Bloody Mary's in 16 & 9 oz. sizes |
| Longitude315 | Chef Tony’s secret recipe Bloody Mary made from green tomatoes and and his award winning chimichurri sauce!!; South American pulled pork with rice and beans, churrascos with steak and chicken, pastor & steak tacos, grilled flat bread quesadillas |
| Pepper Palace | Bloody Mary's featuring Pepper Palace Bloody Mary mix; A one stop shop for hot sauce, BBQ sauce, salsa, pickled items, jellies and jams, beef jerky, and more! |
| Popcorn Jester, Juice Jester | Spiked electric lemonade shake-ups, non-alcoholic lemonade shake-ups, popcorn |
| SuckerPunch Gourmet | SuckerPunch Gourmet Bloody Mary’s. Also craft premium pickles, Bloody Mary mix and salsas. The Bloody Mary mix is all natural, vegan and Non-GMO Project verified. Only seven simple ingredients, including a puree of our Spicy Garlic Original pickles creates a bold, fresh taste that is sure to knock you out... in a good way! |
Food and Beverage Vendors
| Vendor | Product | |
|---|---|---|
| BBQ Baron | Texas style low & smoked brisket, smoked pulled chicken, butcher's hot links, Mexican style creamed corn and classic Memphis style cole slaw | |
| Crazy Dogs | Hot dogs, Italian sausage, Polish dogs, specialty sausages | |
| Jerk Taco Man | Jerk tacos: chicken, steak, fish, shrimp, veggie; nachos, burritos, jerk Italian, salads, pork tips | |
| Longitude315 | South American pulled pork with rice and beans, churrascos with steak and chicken, pastor & steak tacos, grilled flat bread quesadillas | |
| La Plancha Loca | A variety of tacos: steak, chicken, al pastor, beef, tongue, chorizo. 2017 Winner for Most Authentic Taco for Taco Al Pastor! | 2018 Taco Fest Winner for Best Authentic Taco!, 2017 Taco Fest Winner for Best Authentic Taco, |
| Magic Circle Crepes | Sweet & savory crepes, soda, bottled water | |
| Slyce Coal Fired Pizza Co. | A selection of seasonal features | |
| Toasty Cheese Food Truck | Gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches. Also served up from scratch gourmet French fries, soups, and vegetarian and gluten-free selections. | |
| Taquizas El Poblanito | Tacos: beef, pork, chicken, chorizo, fish; cemitas with beef or pork, soda, bottled water |
Artisan Vendors
| Vendor | Product |
|---|---|
| Amy's Upcycled Candles | 100% soy candles made from liquor bottles |
| Anna's Glamor Nails/Color Street | Nail polish strips |
| Buddha Heart Shop | Handmade jewelry, photography, stickers, crystals, tie dyes, photography prints, herbal body care products, wind chimes, dream catchers, candles, hair and other accessories |
| 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 |
| Highwood Rental | Cotton candy, popcorn, snow cones, pizza, lemonade, soda, water, chips |
| The Sheet Lady | Sheet sets in a variety of colors |
| Smita Creation | Henna tattoos |
| Superhero For Hire, Artist Customs | Custom t-shirts and custom artwork |
| Wanderlust Sea Salt | Infused nordic flake sea salt including garlic, lemon, onion and pickle flavors; olive oil; try our special "Wooden Nickel Bloody Mary Salt"! |
| Wine Shop at Home | Learn how to host your own wine tastings or pursue a career in wine |
2018 Bands
| Time | Band |
|---|---|
| 10:30 am - 1:30 pm | Jennifer Fletcher and the Reckoning |
| 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm | Tim Gleason Band |
Tim Gleason & Rachel Irene of the Tim Gleason Band perform “Bloody Mary Morning”.
Video provided by Coffee Cup Productions.
