Pours And Parks To Feature Local Beer, Wine, Spirits In Frankfort

FRANKFORT, IL — Lovers of craft beer, wine and spirits — or those interested in finding out what the craze is all about — can hoist a glass and support improvements to Frankfort's parks by attending Pours for Parks, a fundraiser hosted by Operation Playground Foundation to benefit the Frankfort Park District.

Pours for Parks is scheduled to take place from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, at the Founders Community Center, 140 Oak St. in Frankfort. Attendees must be at least 21 years old with valid ID to participate.

"What I like about this event is that a lot of the owners of the different breweries come and they pour, so it's a great way to learn how they came up with a certain beer name or flavor, and learn more about the breweries," said Julie Sullivan, fundraising and community outreach coordinator for the Frankfort Park District.

She added that, "It's a great fall event and a way to reach people in the community before the busy holiday season starts."

Advance tickets for the event are $40. Tickets include 10 3-ounce tastings from local crafters and breweries, as well as some well-known industry names, including:

• The Wine Thief
• Fat Rosie's Taco and Tequila Bar (margaritas)
• Trail’s Edge Brewing Co.
• Arrowhead Ales Brewing Company
• Brothership Brewing Company
• Hailstorm Brewing
• Hickory Creek Brewing Company
• Nik and Ivy Brewing
• MyGrain Brewing Company
• Eris Brewing and Cider House (hard cider)
• Brickstone Brewery
• Mike’s Hard Lemonade/White Claw (hard seltzer)
• The Finnish Long Drink
• Thornton Distillery Company
• Dillinger Vodka

Tickets the day of the event are $50. There is also an option for a general admission ticket for $15, which does not include tastings.

The event will feature music provided by a DJ, and food will be available for purchase on site from Cultivate Community Table of Frankfort, Sullivan said.

Pours for Parks will be an indoor/outdoor event, weather permitting, Sullivan said.

Operation Playground Foundation is a registered 501(c)3 that is independent of the Frankfort Park District, Sullivan said. Past projects funded by Operation Playground Foundation include Fort Frankfort Playground, the Frankfort Bark Park, the 3-on-3 Basketball Courts at Main Park, the exercise facility at Michelle Bingham Park, the Judy Herder Memorial Pumptrack, and Pickleball Courts at Commissioners Park.

Over the past six years, Pours for Parks has raised more than $50,000 for Frankfort parks and facilities, according to Frankfort Park District Executive Director Gina Hassett.

Tickets can be purchased online at by following this link. Tickets may also be purchased in person at the Founders Center.

More information about Operation Playground Foundation can be found by following this link.