The Columbus Indiana Philharmonic’s Second Annual Bourbonfest: Come Get Your Phil netted $25,000 for the orchestra Feb. 17 at The Commons.
That’s an increase from $10,887 in profit the Philharmonic generated from the debut 2017 event.
Part of the boost was due to an increase in crowd capacity, from 400 last year to 600 this year, said Katelyn Ice, the Philharmonic’s marketing director. At least 200 Bourbonfest attendees this year were new patrons, the Philharmonic estimated.
Organizers added extra fundraising elements within the event itself. One was a bourbon taste test in which participants paid $5 to identify particular bourbons poured into glasses for them.
A new, silent auction of 20 items raised nearly $4,000, Ice said.
Event proceeds help the orchestra with programs such as youth education.
