Guests mingle inside the Barn at Crystal Springs Farm during the 2022 Bourbon & Bluegrass event, a fundraiser for Leadership Johnson County. The organization is hosting another similar fundraiser on Aug. 17, the Sunset Soirée, to raise money for program costs.
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Every year, the county’s next wave of leaders comes together for training, education and preparation.
They come from businesses and nonprofit groups, schools, government and other groups. By the time the nine-month Leadership Johnson County Signature Program is finished, they’re well-versed in the qualities needed to move their organizations, and the community, forward.
To support the next wave of future community leaders, Leadership Johnson County is inviting people to a special fundraising spirit tasting. Sunset Soirée, scheduled from 6 to 9 p.m. Aug. 17, features spirit tasting, food and music, all on the pastoral grounds of the Barn at Crystal Springs Farm.
Proceeds will help Leadership Johnson County continue to provide the experiences and professional development it has been known for.
“The money that people pay to be in the Signature Program doesn’t necessarily pay for the amenities needed to have a successful program year. This will fill those gaps,” said Brittany Brown, co-chair of the Sunset Soirée committee.
Leadership Johnson County has trained more than 800 local residents to be better leaders and contributors to the local community. The organization was born after area residents expressed concerns about the direction local agencies, businesses and government would go in the future.
Leadership Johnson County has grown to include special workshops and seminars held throughout the year, focusing on management, women in leadership positions and the power of innovation.
But the best-known aspect of the organization is its Signature Program, in which participants meet once a month, and each class asks students to focus on a different aspect of leadership. To tie all of the concepts together, participants form small groups and work on a project to better the community.
Each participant in Leadership Johnson County pays tuition to join. But the costs of the program extend beyond the tuition collected, requiring additional fundraisers throughout the year, Brown said.
Sunset Soirée is an extension of a Leadership Johnson County fundraiser from last year, known as Bourbon & Bluegrass. The event was successful for the organization, so organizers decided to tweak the theme slightly.
Tickets include spirit tastings from seven different vendors: Log Still, The Mint, Cardinal Spirits, Twenty 20 Beverages, Sweetens Cove Spirits Company, Tito’s and New Riff Distilling. After people check in, they’ll receive a tasting card, which serves as a guide to the different options available to them, Brown said.
“We every person to stop by each vendor, so each one can get their time in the limelight,” she said. “They’ll get 1-ounce pours from each vendor.”
A new addition is a VIP tent, offering tastings of more exclusive, higher-end spirits, Brown said.
Guests also receive a voucher to take advantage of from the event’s on-site food trucks.
While circulating around the tasting stations, people can stop in front of a roaring bonfire or play a game of cornhole. Raffle tickets will be available, while Laura Seitzinger will provide the ambiance with a blend of classic rock, country, folk and contemporary music.
“There’s just going to be a nice overall vibe while they’re doing the tasting,” Brown said.
IF YOU GO
Sunset Soirée
What: A fundraiser for Leadership Johnson County, featuring spirits tasting, food trucks, music and more.
When: 6-9 p.m. Aug. 17
Where: The Barn at Crystal Spring Farm, 3620 Hurricane Road, Franklin
Cost: $75 general admission; $100 for VIP access, which includes additional tastings of top shelf and exclusive spirits
Tickets: franklincollege-ubsru.formstack.com/forms/sunsetsoiree
