Bourbon & Bluegrass at Lincoln’s Summer Cottage

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The staff at Lincoln’s Summer Cottage organizes a bourbon and bluegrass fundraising event each spring. The two-day festival features seasoned bluegrass musicians and Kentucky bourbon. Bands play on the porch where Lincoln played checkers with his sons and friends during the Civil War.

The Saturday May 18, 2024 lineup featured Letitia VanSant, Hubby Jenkins, and Adeem the Artist. The Sunday artists included Jake Blount and David Wax Museum. The bluegrass festival concluded with a performance by Senora May.

Despite a steady rain, hundreds of people spent their Saturday afternoon listening to music and enjoying sips of bourbon. I volunteered to be a bartender on the first day of the festival, and we were busy at the three stations. Schneider’s of Capitol Hill donated three different bourbons and choose to pair each one with three different mixes – strawberry, pineapple, and lime rickey. Visitors brought lawn chairs and sat underneath a large tent which provided the best view of the stage. In addition, a large tent housed the bourbon tastings. Food trucks lined the area behind the large tent. The soggy weather did not dampen the spirit of the event.

Elizabeth Tuico owns Rebel Road Creative, a marketing and copywriting consultancy. She has lived in Washington, D.C. for thirty years and enjoys discovering fun activities close to home.