New Riff Distilling will bring a bourbon tasting and Schickel’s Pickleback to the annual Schickel’s Pickle and Weiner Fest on September 26.
FLORENCE, Ky. (Sept. 15, 2026) – Fresh from his induction into the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame, former Kentucky state Sen. John Schickel is turning the celebration toward a cause close to home: Special Olympics of Northern Kentucky.
Schickel was inducted Monday in the Hall of Fame’s Roll of Honor: Public Service Distinction. The recognition reflects his 16 years in the Kentucky Senate, including his work on the state’s alcohol laws and bourbon industry issues. You can find a video clip of Schickel’s induction at the link shared at the end of this press release.
On Saturday, Sept. 26, New Riff Distilling will serve as the official bourbon partner of John Schickel’s Pickle and Wiener Fest at Erlanger Lions Park. Plans include a bourbon tasting and Schickel’s Pickleback, a New Riff bourbon-and-pickle-juice cocktail created for the Fest. Bourbon service will be limited to guests 21 and older.
New Riff founder Ken Lewis, who nominated Schickel for the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame, said the partnership connects Schickel’s work with the bourbon industry to the Fest’s charitable purpose.
“I enjoyed working with Schickel in Frankfort on behalf of our bourbon industry, and it is a pleasure working with him to raise money for this worthy cause,” Lewis said.
“Being inducted into the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame is an honor I never expected, but what makes this celebration special is the chance to use it to help our Special Olympics athletes,” Schickel said. “New Riff is a Northern Kentucky success story and a great partner. If people can enjoy a good bourbon, try a Pickleback and help a local program that changes lives, that is a pretty good Saturday.”
The Kentucky Distillers’ Association created the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame to recognize people and organizations that have made a lasting contribution to Kentucky bourbon. Schickel’s public service work included legislation and policy changes that modernized the state’s alcohol regulations while supporting responsible industry growth.
The Fest will run from noon to 5 p.m. at 5996 Belair Drive in Florence. Admission is free. The event will also feature food, a silent auction, two raffles, and live music from the Lazy River Band, returning by popular demand.
Raffle tickets are available in advance from participating Special Olympics athletes and coaches and will also be sold at the Fest. For more information on raffle tickets, contact Mark Staggs, Program Director for Special Olympics of Northern Kentucky, staggsm@fuse.net or by phone at 859-835-7171.
Last year’s event raised $58,000 for Special Olympics Northern Kentucky. Schickel, Staggs and sponsors of the annual event are encouraging others to sponsor, purchase raffle tickets, and attend the September 26 event. Proceeds from the 2026 Schickel Pickle and Wiener Fest will again support the volunteer-run local program and the athletes it serves.
For event information about the event, contact Schickel at 859-628-5150.
Induction video link: https://youtu.be/m5SGYxuV3Z4?is=Gq6KLPGwCTSdwevS
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This release has been distributed by Atlas & Ink Communications.
