A crowd is shown at a past gathering at The Commons for Wine-a-Ree. Proceeds from the event benefit Hoosier Trails Council, Boy Scouts of America.
Call it something of a sportsman’s dream at the silent auction Saturday for the Boy Scouts of America Hoosier Trails Council’s 14th Annual Wine-a-Ree wine, beer and spirits tasting festival.
Prized items up for bids include an open firearms deer hunting weekend for eight people in November 2024 at the 700-acre Maumee Scout Reservation camp in Norman; tickets to Cincinnati Reds, Indianapolis Indians and Louisville Bats games; virtual golf packages in Indianapolis and Cincinnati, and more.
“We have a lot of new items this year,” said J0n Ocheltree, the Hoosier Trails Council’s field director.
The event attracted 650 people and raised $22,000 last year, according to organizers.
The council hopes to raise $25,000 to $30,000 this year at the gathering at The Commons, 300 Washington St. in downtown Columbus.
“Ideally, we like to grow it at least a little every year,” Ocheltree said.
The event includes unlimited free samples and purchase options from participating wineries, breweries and distilleries. Tickets are $30 in advance or $40 at the door. A commemorative wine or beer glass is included in the price of the ticket.
A VIP tasting hour will be from noon to 1 p.m. VIP tickets are $60 and are limited. VIP guests will receive a gift and a chance in a drawing for a special door prize. Tickets are available at Hoosier Trails Council — Hoosier Trails Council Wine-A-Ree via scoutingevent.com.
Some of the vendors for this year’s event include Best Vineyards, Brown County Winery, Cardinal Spirits, Easley Winery, Ertel Cellars, Holtkamp Winery, Huber Winery, Mallow Run Winery, Winzerwald Winery, Quaff On! Brewing Company, Hard Truth Distillery, and Moon Drops Distillery.
Returning again this year is de Tours of Indiana Wines. First Class Catering will have food available for purchase.
People may visit the Wine-A-Ree Facebook event page for updates.
All proceeds benefit Hoosier Trails Council, Boy Scouts of America, which serves more than 6,000 young people in 18 counties of south-central Indiana.
Information: Jon Ocheltree at (800) 844-6809.
