WeHa Whiskey Festival Returns for Second Year
Audio By Carbonatix
Event will raise funds for two local charities.
Submitted by Jim Shannon, Metro Communications
Excitement is building for the 2nd Annual WeHa Whiskey Festival, set for Oct. 18 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the West Hartford Town Hall. Sponsored by 104.1 FM Radio, Maximum Beverage, Highland Park Market, Chivas, The Glenlivet, and Laphroaig, the event will once again benefit two local charities, Camp Courant and The Town that Cares Fund.
Radio station 104.1 FM will broadcast live from the festival, where food will be catered by Highland Park Market and more than 150 bourbon, scotch and whiskey brands will be available for tasting.
Attendees can also vote for their favorite dish in a restaurant battle. Each dish must contain Jameson Black Barrel Irish Whiskey. Attendees sample and vote for their favorite dish and the numbwe of votes determines the winner. The restaurants competing are: Grants Restaurant & Bar, McLadden’s Irish Publick House, Republic, Tisane Euro-Asian Cafe (Last Year’s Winner!), and Wood N Tap.
A raffle with great prizes rounds out the fun.
Advance tickets are on sale for $89.99 per person. If purchased at the door, tickets are $109.99.
“We’re beyond excited to be selected again this year,” said McKinley Albert, director of development for Camp Courant, now celebrating its 120th anniversary.
“We’re very thankful to be included as a beneficiary for the 2nd Annual WeHa Whiskey Festival,” said Suzanne Oslander, community partnerships manager for the West Hartford Department of Human and Leisure Services, which oversees the Town That Cares fund.
Last year’s successful debut event, the 1st Annual WeHa Whiskey Festival, raised a total of $9,000, with each charity receiving half.
“That was a huge amount of money,” Albert said. “Sending a child to camp for the entire summer costs $750 per child, which means the fundraiser paid for six children to enjoy the camp experience.”
In addition to the monetary benefits Camp Courant derived from the WeHa Whiskey Festival last year, it also “raised awareness of who we are,” she said.
Oslander echoed that remark.
“The event went a long way toward raising awareness of our needs while also engaging the community to go out, have a good time and make a difference,” she said. “We rely solely on community support. That’s the only way we can help people in need.”
The Town That Cares fund helps West Hartford residents experiencing a crisis situation that hinders their ability to pay for utility bills, food, shelter costs, medical expenses and other critical needs.
“With the funds we received from last year’s festival, we were able to help additional residents,” Oslander said. “Residents’ needs keep going up, so this year’s festival is even more important. Some may think that West Hartford people don’t need help, but need is everywhere.”
Garage parking will be validated. Also, Uber (www.uber.com) cab service will be provided to transport patrons to and from the event. A coupon code will be provided to give you a free ride up to $25 one way.
For ticket information, visit www.wehawhiskey.com, www.facebook.com/wehawhiskey, and follow @wehawhiskey on Twitter. Information is also available at Maximum Beverage, 333 N. Main St., West Hartford. Call 860-761-2541, e-mail [email protected] or visit http://www.maximumbev.com. Always Drink Responsibly.
