Bourbon on the Banks Inc. is a private, non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization based in Frankfort, Ky. Funds are privately raised and primarily derived from corporate sponsorships and event ticket sales. A portion of the proceeds fund student scholarships to the Kentucky State University Fermentation & Distillation program and/or students from Frankfort/Franklin County to attend any distillation and spirits college accredited program. Proceeds also serve to stimulate economic development in the downtown district of Frankfort. A portion of our proceeds go toward the White Oak Initiative, a non-profit dedicated to the preservation and sustainability of the white oak which is used in the manufacturing of bourbon. The festival and associated events are produced by a full-time executive director, community volunteers, and a board of directors.
At the Bourbon on the Banks Festival, bourbon is more than just a drink – each pour is about appreciating history and tradition, understanding the legacy and art of making bourbon, and bonding with friends.
The Bourbon on the Banks Festival is a spirits tasting event that takes place along the historic banks of the Kentucky River at the River View Park in Frankfort, Ky., and occurs annually on the first Saturday in October. The upcoming festival is scheduled on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. Early access starts at 1 p.m., and general admission starts at 2 p.m. The event ends at 6 p.m.
Those attending the festival will be required to purchase a ticket for entry which includes samples of spirits from top distilleries in the country. A few breweries and wineries will also be represented at the event. Attendees will be able to drink and learn about a variety of whiskeys, meet influencers in the bourbon industry, and enjoy a scenic stroll along the Kentucky River while listening to live music. Attendees can also purchase delicious offerings from a wide range of mobile food vendors and shop the handmade collections of bourbon-themed artisans. In addition, there will be the option to experience several unique demonstrations and educational discussions designed as enrichment opportunities for bourbon enthusiasts.
There is no fee to participate in the Bourbon on the Banks Festival. Distilleries should bring a tent, tables, and at least three types of products for guests to sample if possible. Creative displays are encouraged, and all setups must be approved by the event director prior to the festival. Volunteers will be available to assist with set up and breakdown.
FRANKFORT, Ky., Dec. 8, 2022 – Bourbon on the Banks Inc. will donate a portion of the proceeds raised from its fourth annual festival to support the Franklin County Community Fund and White Oak Initiative nonprofits and fund student scholarships.
The Franklin County Community Fund is affiliated with the Blue Grass Community Foundation, and Bourbon on the Banks Inc. will donate $25,000 to this nonprofit for improvements to River View Park in Frankfort which also serves as the event site for the festival. The White Oak Initiative is dedicated to the preservation and long-term sustainability of the white oak forests which are vital to the spirits industry as wood from white oak trees is commonly used to make barrels for aging bourbon and other American whiskeys. Bourbon on the Banks Inc. will donate $10,000 to the White Oak Initiative to support their efforts.
Bourbon on the Banks Inc. is also offering $15,000 in scholarships, up to $2,500 per individual, for those choosing to attend the Kentucky State University fermentation and distillation program and/or to qualified Franklin County residents wishing to attend other accredited, college-level distillation and fermentation science certification or degree programs. The online application and detailed information regarding the scholarship program are available on the Bourbon on the Banks website, and the deadline for submission is April 1, 2023.
“We are focused on promoting the advancement of the fermentation and distillation industry and supporting the economic and cultural development of our community, and these nonprofits and our scholarship program help with this mission,” Bourbon on the Banks Director Diane Strong said. “We are thrilled by the success of the 2022 festival and thankful for the opportunity to support such important causes.”
The Bourbon on the Banks Festival is a premier bourbon event in Frankfort and occurs annually on the first Saturday in October. The next Bourbon on the Banks Festival is scheduled for Oct. 7, 2023, and tickets are now available for purchase on the Bourbon on the Banks website.
Bourbon on the Banks Overview
Bourbon on the Banks Inc. is a private, non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization based in Frankfort. Funds are privately raised and primarily derived from corporate sponsorships and event ticket sales. The festival and associated events are produced by a full-time executive director, community volunteers, and a board of directors.
FRANKFORT, Ky., April 4, 2023 – Bourbon on the Banks Festival Inc. has announced that Amelia Wilson of Frankfort is the recipient of the 2022 Bourbon on the Banks scholarship. She will be awarded a $2,500 scholarship toward her undergraduate education.
Wilson is a student at Western Kentucky University and earning a bachelor’s degree in strategic
marketing, minor in creative writing and certification in brewing and distilling arts and sciences. She is scheduled to graduate in December 2023 and plans to pursue a career in the brewing or distilling industry. She is currently involved in the restoration of 21 Brands Distillery in Frankfort.
The scholarship recognizes those who demonstrate academic excellence and represent the future of the distillation and fermentation industry. The application process was opened to qualified residents of Frankfort and Franklin County wishing to attend any accredited, college-level distillation and fermentation science program. Any qualified individual choosing to attend the Kentucky State University distillation and fermentation science certification program, regardless of residence, was also eligible to receive the scholarship. Adults of all ages and at any point in their educational journey were encouraged to apply.
“The distilling industry is a fundamental backbone of Kentucky. Not only has it been around for
centuries, but it is still an ever-growing presence providing livelihoods for Kentuckians across the state,” Wilson said. “I hope to be able to continue uplifting and encouraging the distillation and spirits industry here in Kentucky. As someone who has been so positively affected by it and seen my own community stand as a quintessence of what bourbon and the distilling industry as a whole can do, I wish only to give back and to further explore what it has to offer for myself and for others.”
The Bourbon on the Banks Festival is a bourbon event in Frankfort and occurs annually on the first Saturday in October. The next Bourbon on the Banks Festival is scheduled for Oct. 7, 2023, and tickets are available for purchase at the Bourbon on the Banks website, www.bourbononthebanks.org.
