ilani BBQ Fest: Bourbon & Bites — Everything You Need to Know
The Ilani Cowlitz Ballroom is the place to be on Saturday, June 13 when ilani BBQ Fest brings Bourbon & Bites to Ridgefield, WA. Doors open for a 4:00 PM PT start, and whether you’re a bourbon connoisseur, a BBQ obsessive, or just looking for a great Saturday out, this one looks like a winner.
Getting There: Smooth Sailing
The good news starts before you even park. Saturday is shaping up to be a beautiful drive out to Ridgefield — sunny skies and a high near 78°F, with a light northerly breeze of 2 to 12 mph and zero chance of rain. The walk from the parking lot to the venue entrance will be quick and comfortable, so no need to rush or stress about getting wet on the way in.
Ilani has its own dedicated parking structure adjacent to the resort, which makes the lot-to-door experience straightforward. That said, a late-afternoon festival draw means the garage can fill up. Aim to arrive by 3:30 PM PT to clear parking and security without the scramble. If you’re carpooling or using rideshare, the drop-off zone near the main entrance is your best bet.
Inside the Venue
Once you’re through the doors, you’re in the Cowlitz Ballroom — a fully climate-controlled space. Ballrooms and event halls at casino resorts tend to run on the cooler side, especially once the AC is working against a packed crowd. A light layer stuffed in your bag is never a bad call, even on a warm June day outside.
This is a food and spirits festival, so come hungry and paced. Bourbon tastings and BBQ samplings are the main event — plan to take your time working through stations rather than front-loading everything in the first hour.
Practical Tips
- Tickets: Confirm your tickets are downloaded or printed before you leave home. Will-call lines at casino events can move slowly.
- ID: Bourbon tastings mean a hard ID check at the door. Bring a valid government-issued ID — no exceptions.
- What to wear: Smart casual is the move here. Comfortable shoes you can stand in for a few hours, and as noted, a light jacket or long-sleeve layer for the air conditioning.
- What to skip: Leave the oversized bags and backpacks at home. Ilani typically enforces a small bag policy for events in the ballroom — check the venue’s current policy before you head out.
- Phones: Fully charge before you go. You’ll want photos of the spread.
Bottoms up — see you at Bourbon & Bites.