A night of bourbon tastings at Loaded Cannon Distillery is doing more than filling glasses. On Wednesday, November 11, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., the Southwest Florida Council of Scouting America brings Bourbon & Bowties to Lakewood Ranch for the third year running. The lineup includes whiskey tastings, a best bowtie contest, auctions, and a wheelbarrow full of bourbon as the marquee prize.
The money raised supports Scouting America programs that build leadership, character, and citizenship. The council served more than 16,000 young people in 2025, and those Scouts contributed over 32,000 hours of community service, an estimated $1.12 million in economic impact across Southwest Florida. Event chair Mike Bear says the mission comes down to kids learning skills they’ll carry for life while giving back to the community along the way.
Tickets are still available, along with a limited number of sponsorships, through the council’s website. Whether you come for the tastings, the bowtie bragging rights, or the chance to bid on that wheelbarrow, every dollar stays local.
Got a favorite scouting memory or a go-to local fundraiser? Tell us in the comments.
