Farm To Bottle Festival 2025
09/12/2025 · Wilmington, Ohio
We made the trip north to Wilmington, Ohio for the 2025 Farm To Bottle Festival at the Clinton County Fairgrounds. It’s a bit of a haul for us — close to seven hours each way — but events like this make the drive worth it. From the moment we walked in, it was clear that the organizers had put together a full day of tastings, vendors, and familiar faces from across the distilling community.
The indoor vendor area stayed busy throughout the day. Tables were lined with bottles, distilling gear, and plenty of people eager to talk shop. It didn’t take long before we started running into friends and people we’d met at other events.
One of the best parts of the day was catching up with people we hadn’t seen in a while. Conversations drifted easily from one table to the next, with plenty of stories being shared between tastings.
Still Will’s wife Shana — known to many folks in the community as Miss Kara Loveheart — also spent time visiting with friends and organizers throughout the day, including festival organizer Dan Gray.
Outside the building there was plenty happening as well. Food vendors were set up across the grounds, a covered pavilion provided shade for visitors taking a break from the heat, and there were activities set up for families attending the event.
Throughout the day we spent time stopping by different booths and reconnecting with folks like the PhilBilly Moonshine crew, members of the Moonshine Militia, and several distillers who had made the trip out to Wilmington for the festival.
As the evening rolled in, the festival shifted into a different rhythm. Music picked up, people gathered closer to the stage, and the crowd settled in to enjoy the bands closing out the night.
The open camping area around the fairgrounds really adds something special to this event. Once the music winds down, people don’t just head home — they stay, talk, share food and drinks, and spend time with friends they might only see once or twice a year.
By the end of the weekend it was clear once again why we keep making the trip. Events like Farm To Bottle aren’t just about the tastings or the vendors — they’re about the friendships, the stories, and the chance to learn from people you respect in the craft. Huge thanks to Dan Gray and the entire team who put this event together. We’re already looking forward to the next one.
Also in attendance
Thanks to the many friends and distillers we crossed paths with throughout the weekend, including John Bentz of Firehouse Shine, Damon Beaty, Kenny Taylor, April Parker, Joseph Wells Justice Jr., Shawn Peterman, Roy Crowthers, Bill Foster, and members of the Moonshine Militia.
👕 Worn at This Event
"Home Distiller" Parody Tee
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Radical 80's Moonshine Tee
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Event took place September 12–13, 2025 at the Clinton County Fairgrounds in Wilmington, Ohio. Original Facebook coverage for this trip was first posted on September 17, 2025. Extra photos and community comments are available on Facebook: View the original post.