LOYAL. LOCAL. COMPLETE.
The REC Center in Paris is giving local bourbon enthusiasts and community supporters a chance to score rare, highly sought-after spirits while backing a local cause as tickets go on sale for its annual Bourbon Raffle.
First introduced in 2024 as a spin on traditional fundraisers, the raffle quickly proved popular with community members. Building on that success, this year's raffle features 15 allocated bottles of high-end bourbon up for grabs.
"The bourbon raffle has been a big hit with local bourbon enthusiasts as well as supporters of the Rec Center," Ben Lueken, community liaison for The REC Center, said. "This is a chance to get your hands on an allocated bottle of bourbon. There are some rare finds in the drawing that anyone would like to add to their collection."
A total of 1,000 tickets are being sold at $25 each, or 5 tickets for $100. Each ticket gives buyers 15 individual chances to win.
The lineup of featured bottles includes:
•Pappy Van Winkle 12 Year
•George T. Stagg
•Blanton’s Gold & Blanton’s
•Elmer T. Lee
•E.H. Taylor (Small Batch, Barrel Proof, Straight Rye, Single Barrel)
•Weller (CYPB, Antique, 12 Year, Full Proof, Single Barrel)
•Blood Oath
The drawing will take place on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026. While The REC is foregoing a live in-person event this summer due to scheduling, the drawing will be broadcast live via The REC's Facebook page. Winning tickets will be drawn sequentially, with top-tier bottles like the Pappy 12 Year reserved for the final drawing.
Proceeds from last year’s inaugural raffle directly aided the capital campaign to reopen The REC's swimming pool. With the pool now fully operational, funds from this year’s drawing will go directly toward facility sustainment and ongoing operational support for the entire center.
"This will go to sustainment of the pool facilities and the REC as a whole to just kind of boost operations and make sure we've got everything that we need to continue running," explained REC Executive Director Erin Hutchinson. "It's for a good cause."
Tickets are available for purchase directly through REC board members, community liaison Ben Lueken or in person at The REC Center’s front desk.
Interested buyers are encouraged to secure their tickets early, as sales are capped at 1,000 tickets.