Next week the New Orleans Bourbon Festival will kick off its third year bringing bourbon love to the Big Easy. It seems as though about half of Kentucky shows up, both industry folks and bourbon lovers, to mingle with people from all over the country. Many of the people who attend the New Orleans Bourbon Festival are newer to bourbon, and it’s a great opportunity to get to know new bourbon fans and for new bourbon fans to be taken into the bourbon fold. And the best news of all – there’s still time to get tickets!

The seminar series and grand tastings are still on the menu – I will be hosting the bourbon and cigar pairing seminars, Michael Veach will be hosting several history sessions, Fawn Weaver will be there to educate on the story of Nearest Green, and Whisky Chicks Founder Linda Ruffenach will be there to teach you how to become a ‘Bourbon Badass’. Distillers on hand for seminars will include Fred and Freddie Noe from Jim Beam, Brent Elliott from Four Roses, Eddie Russell from Wild Turkey, and Denny Potter from Maker’s Mark. Craft Distillers will include Marianne Eaves from Castle & Key, Christine Riggleman from Silverback Distillery, and Joyce Nethery from Jeptha Creed. Other notable seminar participants will include Andrea Wilson of Michter’s, Trey Zoeller of Jefferson’s, Jason Brauner of Bourbons Bistro, Matt Jamie from Bourbon Barrel Foods, and Chasta McIntyre from Mint Julep Experiences. And this extensive list represents about half of the bourbon folk you will be able to meet at the New Orleans Bourbon festival.

There are some new experiences at the New Orleans Bourbon Festival this year. As this festival grows the course offerings will grow and change, and new experiences will likely continue to be added. New this year:

• Bourbon Women will be bringing a bus of about 70 members down for a VIP experience
• The Black Bourbon Society will host BBS x NOLA Sips and Smokes at Whiskey and Sticks
• Bourbon Sasquatch Productions will host an ‘Amber Carpet’ movie premiere of its new documentary, Kindred Spirits

If you’re still on the fence about going to New Orleans next week, take a look at the schedule. Surely you have some vacation days just laying around. See you there?

Photos Courtesy of Maggie Kimberl

This post originally appeared on LouGirl502.com

Maggie Kimberl is a columnist for American Whiskey Magazine