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A few years back, I was lucky enough to take a bit of a road trip to Bardstown, KY, with two buddies, Mark and Zach, and Mark’s wife, Amanda. You might be asking yourself why anyone would consider himself lucky to visit this quaint little town about an hour south of Louisville on Interstate 65. Those of you who have visited Bardstown in late September keep smiling and please bear with me. You see, Bardstown has been distilling Bourbon since the very inception of this nation, and has since earned the moniker of “Bourbon Capital of the World.” To celebrate this passionate and accomplished tradition, Bardstown hosts The Kentucky Bourbon Festival every fall, drawing tens of thousands of international patrons annually.

So, we all piled up in the Jeep and headed south with the stereo blaring and the bikini top stripped. We arrived at the festival just as night fell and, with the air still hot and humid, set out to take part in the spirits. From everything I’ve heard and read about the festival, there are many other activities and events set up to entertain, including a balloon glow, country music concerts, bourbon barrel rolling contests, a black tie gala, every kind of carnie food you can imagine, and an art show just to name a few. If you’ve not already been able to discern my festival intentions, they were solely to enjoy the smorgasbord of any distiller’s bourbon I might fancy, while kicking back with my whiskey cohorts and taking in a little homegrown bluegrass music.

We ventured past all of the family fun areas, harness rides, and games galore, coming finally to our first Bourbon tent. Eyes grew wide with excitement and mouths watered as we impatiently awaited a security stop for age verification. Once the event staff checked our credentials, we were given a bracelet to wear and the green light to devour some of the finest spirits in the world. We walked into the tent, which appeared about the size of an airplane hanger with hay strewn about the floor; a bit of nervous energy running through us all. After discussing the seemingly endless drink options, we purchased drink tickets and parted ways to find what we each believed to be the shortest line to heaven.

When I reached the serving table, the gentleman pouring was extremely friendly and patient, answering any questions that I had with a smile. On his own suggestion, I took a neat glass of 90-proof Old Rip Van Winkle. While I can’t offer a seasoned evaluation of such a layered spirit, I can tell you that this was undoubtedly the finest alcohol that ever soothed my palate. I also can’t provide, with any amount of certainty, as to the terms of the monetary deal; 2 ounces of bourbon in exchange for 12 tickets (at a dollar apiece) is my best estimate. However, if I’ve ever been able to come up with a justifiable reason to blow too much money on booze, this was it.

We reconvened where we had disseminated and shared our thoughts on the different bourbons along with a quick discussion of our barkeep experience. As with any watering hole, certain pourers tend to be more generous than others, pun intended. We decided to go with my newfound whiskey-dispensing friend for the next round, and subsequently the remainder of evening. As we finished our first drink, we heard the distinct sound of banjos playing just outside the other end of the tent. The group agreed to grab another jigger and set out to absorb the original tunes of a local band. The night continued with much camaraderie, music, dancing and, of course, bourbon. It was a good night out in the country that I won’t soon forget. The only downside to the entire experience was the relatively early closure of the festival. Everyone was ousted by 11:30 p.m. With our sober driver Amanda at the wheel we headed for home. Departing with great memories of a good Kentucky time with old friends and a few friendly strangers, it is an experience we still talk about from time to time. Growing up in Kentucky, this is one right of passage that everyone should have the honor of experiencing.

Celebrate one of the world's finest spirits in the Bourbon Capital of the World. The Kentucky Bourbon Festival will be held September 16- 21^st. For more information, visit kentuckybourbonfestival.com.

2008 Kentucky Bourbon Festival Events

The Ancient Craft of Barrel Making
Spalding Hall Lawn, 114 North Fifth St.
10 am - 4 pm (Sat)
12 pm - 5 pm (Sun)
Free admission to the Lawn.

Backstreets of Bardstown Historical Tour
Tavern Park Shelter, Court Square
11 am - 12 pm (Fri, Sat)
1 pm - 2 pm (Fri, Sat)
3 pm - 4 pm (Fri, Sat)
11 am - 12 pm (Sun)
$15 per person. 

Bootleggers & Bushwhackers Train Robbery
Kentucky Railway Museum, 136 South Main St., New Haven, KY
11 am & 2 pm (Sat)
$19 adults, $14 children 2-12 years old.

Boots and Bourbon TM
JIDECO Hall, 901 Withrow Ct.
7 pm - 11 pm (Thur)
$40 per person. (Must be 21). Reservations required

Bourbon, Cigars and Jazz TM
The Great Hall and Rotunda at My Old Kentucky Home State Park
501 East Stephen Foster Ave.
7 pm - 12 am (Fri)
$75 per person. (Must be 21). Reservations required

Culinary Art: Bourbon-Style Cooking School TM
Great Hall
My Old Kentucky Home State Park, 501 East Stephen Foster Ave.
7 pm - 9 pm (Thur)
$45 per person. (Must be 21). Reservations required

Family Fun Area
City Hall Lawn, 220 North Fifth St.
4 pm - 10 pm (Fri)
10 am - 10 pm (Sat)
10 am - 5 pm (Sun)
Fees vary.

Ghostly Spirits of Bardstown
Tavern Park Shelter, Court Square
8 pm - 10 pm (Thur, Fri & Sat)
$15 per person.

The Great Kentucky Bourbon Tasting & Gala TM
JIDECO Hall, 901 Withrow Ct.
6:30 pm - 1 am (Sat)
$140 per person (Must be 21). Reservations required. Black Tie Only.

Hands-On Activities
City Hall Lawn, 220 North Fifth St.
4 pm - 10 pm (Fri)
10 am - 10 pm (Sat)
10 am - 5 pm (Sun)
Free

Kentucky Arts & Crafts, Foods, Distillery Booths, Kentucky Displays and Retail Booths
Spalding Hall and City Hall Lawns, 114 North Fifth St.
4 pm - 10 pm (Fri)
10 am - 10 pm (Sat)
10 am - 5 pm (Sun)
Free

Kentucky Bourbon Breakfast
Lower Floor Spalding Hall, 114 North Fifth St.
7:30 am - 12 pm (Sat)
8 am - 11 am (Sun)
$6

Kentucky Bourbon Festival Art Exhibit
JIDECO HALL, 901 Withrow Ct.
10 am - 5 pm (Wed, Thur & Sat)
Free

Kentucky Bourbon Festival Cornhole Classic NEW!
Behind City Hall, 300 West Broadway
10 am (Sat)
12 pm (Sun)
Entry fee is $50 per team of two. Reservations required.

Kentucky Bourbon Festival Golf Tournament
Bardstown Country Club at Maywood, 130 Maywood Ave.
8 am - 1 pm (Sat)
$125 per person (Must be 21). Reservations required

Kentucky Bourbon Festival Horseshoe Pitch
Nelson County Fairgrounds, US 31 E
10 am (Sat)
$15 per person

Kentucky Bourbon Festival Poker Run
Pavilion Behind City Hall, 300 West Broadway
11 am - 3 pm (Sun)
$25 per person

Master Distiller's Auction
Spalding Hall Chapel, 114 North Fifth St.
2 pm - 4 pm (Sat)

Mixed Drink Challenge
Knights of Columbus Hall, 111 North Fourth St.
1 pm - 2 pm (Sun)
$5 per person. (Must be 21)

Music on the Lawn
City Hall Lawn, 220 North Fifth St.
5 pm - 12 am (Fri & Sat)
12 pm - 5 pm (Sun)
Free.

Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey History
Spalding Hall, 114 North Fifth St.
10 am - 5 pm (Tues)
10 am - 6 pm (Wed, Thur, Fri & Sat)
10 am - 4 pm (Sun)

Racing with the Spirits TM
JIDECO Hall, 901 Withrow Ct.
7 pm - 11 pm (Wed)
$40 per person (Must be 21)

Spirit 5K Run and Walk
Nelson County Civic Center, 321 South Third St.
8:30 am (Sat)
$10 per person, $5 per person for teams of three or more

Spirit Garden TM
Behind City Hall, 220 North Fifth St.
5 pm - 12:30 am (Fri)
12 pm - 12:30 am (Sat)
1 pm - 5 pm (Sun)
Entry with purchase of KBF 2008 lapel pin. (Must be 21 and show ID to enter).

Tour The Kentucky Bourbon Trail
Tavern Park Shelter, Court Square
10 am (Wed & Thurs)
Reservations required. Fees vary

U.S. Army Extreme Adventure
City Hall Lawn, 220 North Fifth St.
6 pm - 9 pm (Fri)
10 am - 9 pm (Sat)
10 am - 5 pm (Sun)
Free

Whiskey City Cruisers Vehicle Show
City Hall, 220 North Fifth St.
4 pm - 10 pm (Fri)
10 am - 10 pm (Sat)
10 am - 5 pm (Sun)
Free

World Championship Bourbon Barrel Relay TM
Behind City Hall, 300 West Broadway
11 am - 2 pm (Sat)
Free