Bourbon & Blooms Online Auction

Our silent auction is online so all of our supporters and the wider community can participate, whether they are able to attend in-person or not. The in-person attendees and remote auction participants will be using the same platform, bidding against each other in real time.

Bidding is already open! New items will be added weekly as they come in, up to the week of the event. To access the auction, look for the "Auction" tab at the very top margin of this page, or click here:

Access Auction Here

Winners in attendance will be able to collect their items right away, remote participants can pick up their items from the Arboretum Office weekdays through August 15, by appointment.

Bourbon & Blooms In-Person Event Details

Thursday, July 31st, 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM

Delight in an immersive experience at Karrikin Spirits; a night that harmonizes the realms of bourbon and plants, promising an unforgettable blend of socializing, networking, and philanthropy—all in one vibrant event, in a charming event space! Indulge in tasty hors d'oeuvres, along with spirits and other beverages that were made just a few feet away.

Karrikin Spirits
3717 Jonlen Dr,
Cincinnati, OH 45227

The highlight of our evening will be a featured presentation by Dr. Harmonie Bettenhausen from the James Beam Institute, shedding light on the influence that specific plants have on the production of Kentucky's revered bourbon. Explore how different grains define the very essence and character of this distilled spirit, giving each bourbon not only a difference from other whiskeys, but also a uniqueness from other bourbon distillers.

Throughout the night a silent auction will be available for browsing and bidding. Bids are placed online and open to in-person guests as well as remote participants.

The first 150 registrants will receive a free oak tree at the event!

All proceeds from this annual event benefit the Friends of Boone County Arboretum to continually improve the Arboretum grounds and educational opportunities.

This event is for ages 21+ only.

Register to attend here: https://bcarboretum.org/bourbon

Who We Are

Dedicated in 1999, the Boone County Arboretum is nestled on 121 scenic acres just outside Union, Kentucky - only 25 minutes from downtown Cincinnati. The Arboretum is a one-of-a-kind living museum of more than 6,000 trees and shrubs. As the nation’s first arboretum within an active recreation park, we pair diverse plant collections with 12 athletic fields, all connected by a 2+-mile multi-use trail. Accredited at Level IV (the highest level) by the ArbNet Accreditation Program, we are proud to be among a select group of only 45 top-tier arboreta throughout the world. We welcome visitors year-round offering classes and programs that spark curiosity and foster appreciation for nature in individuals of all ages.

Friends of Boone County Arboretum is a 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 2002 to support and promote the Arboretum as a living museum. Friends seek to create community awareness and participation at the arboretum by involving schools, sporting groups, community organizations, individuals, the business community, and garden clubs, through memberships, donations, and active volunteer projects. Friends members are advocates for the Arboretum in the community at large, showing others the value of this unique resource. Many are also dedicated volunteers, donating countless hours each year to help keep the Arboretum plant collections healthy, contribute to planning and building future projects and additions to our facility, and/or are directly involved in the planning and implementation of the many events and educational programs. Membership in this non-profit organization is a commitment to the education of people of all ages in the Greater Cincinnati area. Learn more about the organization and becoming a member here: https://bcarboretum.org/friends.

Our Next Chapter: The Children’s Garden Redesign

(An example of the many projects supported by Friends of Boone County Arboretum.)

Design Proposal Draft

Building on our commitment to inclusive, hands-on learning, we are thrilled to reimagine our 20-year-old Children’s Garden. Former intern Trinity Tobe’s award-winning University of Cincinnati capstone project sparked a new vision: "a multisensory garden experience that engages all eight senses (sight, sound, smell, taste, touch, vestibular, proprioceptive, and interoceptive) and welcomes children of all abilities. Featuring water, plants, sand, and other loose parts, the design encourages play-based learning, fosters body awareness and balance, and offers spaces for those with hypersensitivities.”

To bring this innovative plan to life, we must completely rebuild—more than doubling the current footprint—and raise approximately $300,000 for materials, labor, and ongoing maintenance.

How You Can Help

Your generosity will help us create a lasting community asset where every child can learn through play, boosting confidence, inclusion, and a lifelong connection to nature. We know there are many worthy causes in our region, and we appreciate your consideration as we continue to “Grow Forward.” If you would like to support our Children’s Garden redesign or learn more, please contact Arboretum Director Kristopher Stone by e-mail or 859-384-4999, or visit our website.

Help us provide a lasting benefit for our community, where everyone matters, everyone is invited and where everyone can learn through play!

Bourbon & Blooms 2025

Merging the Worlds of Bourbon and Plants