Felt this event needed a review! First time attending this event I was told it's an annual event,…read morenot sure how many years but let's share my experience! The write up for this event was very persuasive, it really sparked my interest! So much so I bought tickets the day they went on sale.
Purchased early bird VIP TICKET day the ticket went on sale! Was the VIP Ticket worth it?
Arrived early they were very much prepared for people to arrive they had security outside you had to get wanded before entering. There was a little hiccup with my ticket, but very quickly resolved. Once you make it through security and get your wrist band, then pick up your swag bag with your food and drink tickets.
VIP you received early entrance one hour before General Admission, a swag bag which had a nice glass, a cookie, a little tiny brownie bite, a pen, a rubber bracelet thing, a few stickers (2), a cardboard coaster. As a VIP you received 5 food sampling tickets, and five beverage sampling tickets. And a very nice VIP section.
The VIP section had lots of things to do like pool tables, video games, pin ball machines, little seating areas, and tables, a bar where you can purchase drinks, the best part to me which I will get into further actually they might get their own review, there was casino game tables roulette, graps, and blackjack. The VIP section had a chocolate fountain which honestly was the only chocolate you could enjoy that was included with your ticket. There was other chocolate but it was for purchase.
Like any event they have vendors, vendors were set up in the hall way areas it was nice the way they were set up. ( I wished the people at the entrance area where we picked up the vip swag bag would have mentioned that they have vendors and where they were. ) again some cute vendors that went along with the theme.
Moving on to the food samplings that you can use your tickets to sample. Not a lot of options only 4 or 5 two of the same vendor at different locations in the room with the same menu. Not a big variety to sample most of the vendors had just pork options with your food ticket. Pulled pork, and macaroni and cheese at 4 of the vendors. There was a vendor with chicken but for purchase not included with the wristband or tickets. Most of the vendors had a small sampling and then an option to purchase. The VIP section had a table that was included with your wristband for 3 sampling's. (Again I wish that I was told about the VIP Section and that this was included with your ticket/ wristband.
Okay I know you're waiting for the bourbon selection lots of bourbon this was definitely the stand out fitting considering it's the first word in the title of the event. I'm not a big fan of bourbon or whiskey but I really love sampling events like this. I love small distilleries. I'm a big fan of small batch liquors. I tasted a few standouts there was a maple bacon bourbon, a peach bourbon, a gingerbread whiskey I believe a premier bourbon and I tasted a gin. Yes, I did say gin that was really good very unique. There were others, but those were my standouts again. Remember, I am not a big bourbon fan so if you noticed I like ones that have other flavor profiles added to them. You can definitely taste a difference in small batch compared to massively produced the quality is top-notch.
I did walk around quite a bit. I walk through all the vendor tables. There were a few bakeries that were there set up with tables that were selling baked goods. I did purchase from one bakery that I will be doing a separate Yelp review. Be sure to follow me so you can see.
I will tell you most of my time was spent over in the VIP section at the blackjack table to me that was the best part of the event. The dealer was professional, engaging,and very friendly. I will be doing a separate Yelp review for them as well. Be sure to follow me so you can see.
So was the VIP ticket worth it I would say based on having the VIP section I would say it is downfalls for this not enough trash cans very, very few hard to locate, NOT ENOUGH food options, not enough VARIETY definitely not enough chocolate and can we please get a bottle of water with a VIP bag. WHERES THE BRISKET? WHERES the CHICKEN? WHERES the BACON? Better communication with guests to let them know what they have available. Had no idea that there were food trucks outside until after I was getting ready to leave. It would've been nice to know ahead of time that there was food trucks outside maybe offer a little handout that tells all the vendors where they're located, including all the sampling tables, and food trucks. Just a suggestion. Well I go back again next year most likely if they have the black check tables if so, I would definitely get a VIP ticket again. See you on my next review.
Sorry not a lot of photos I didn't think to take photos I did some streaming and vlogging.