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Cocktails & Trails 2025
August 1 @ 5:30 pm - 11:00 pm

Get tickets for a fun night where friends and nature meet at Cocktails & Trails. Drinks, bites, vibes, and games will keep you entertained as you make your way along the trail from the Carolyn Hardcastle Bridge to the Cavern Nite Club.
As we near the event, you’ll be able to participate in the Cocktails & Trails Silent Auction from the comfort of your own home! Register for a “Bid from Home” ticket which allows you to set up an account to participate in bidding now through when the auction closes on event night. Stay tuned!
Every dollar you contribute — through tickets, sponsorship, game play, membership, and/or the silent auction — supports nature education, park trails, and the conservation of the seven natural ecosystems within the 72-acre park! We can’t wait to see you there.
Event Details:
Fundraising events at Lost River Cave help fund the park. Lost River Cave is a 501c3 non-profit organization started by a passionate group of people who came together to save the cave. Our mission (and the park itself) has grown tremendously since we began in 1990 as has the need for funds to conserve and operate this amazing place.
Events, like Cocktails & Trails, raise money to support nature education and the conservation of the 72-acre park where immersive experiences in nature happen. It takes all of us to provide the park free of charge, conserve and restore the incredible natural resources it contains, and connect kids and the community to nature through onsite education and opportunities. We are deeply grateful to everyone who helps make it happen and would be honored for you to join us.
Friday, August 1, 2025
Lost River Cave
2818 Nashville Road
Bowling Green, KY 42101
GENERAL ADMISSION TICKETS
Includes entry* into the event along with a night of fun, delicious food, and tasty cocktails in the name of a great cause! Must be 21 or older to join this rain or shine party. Let the good times roll!
*General admission ticket entry is at 6:00pm and 6:30pm.
OPTIONAL GAME TICKETS
Skip the game ticket line at the event and get them in advance! Good for the Bourbon Ring Toss, Chuck a Duck, and Rock the Boat (new this year!).
Buy in bundles of 5 tickets to save $25 on each bundle! Pre-purchased game tickets will be ready and waiting for you at event entry. Let the fun and games begin!
VIP & SPONSOR TICKETS
There are so many ways to support Lost River Cave, and we’d argue that this is amongst the most fun of ways! Not only will you get tickets to the event for you, your friends, family, or team, you’ll make a significant impact with your financial support. If you want to be among this special group of people, email Katie.
COCKTAILS, BEER, & WINE
At Cocktails and Trails, savor incredible wine and cocktails crafted by expert mixologist from local bottle shop, Reserva, and a selection of beers from Clark Distributing Company! Non-alcoholic options will also be available.

The Dark Zone
Venture into the depths with this bold and mysterious cocktail inspired by the cave’s most hidden reaches. A striking deep purple hue mirrors the shadows of the underground, while vodka, Combier Liqueur D’Orange, lime, and passionfruit combine for a vibrant burst of flavor that lingers like an echo through the caverns. It’s rich, unexpected, and just a little wild—welcome to The Dark Zone.

Flood Year
Bold, bittersweet, and impossible to ignore—just like 2025. Named in honor of the historic rains that have kept our boat tours sidelined for much of the year, this cocktail is a powerful blend of bourbon, Aperol, Jägermeister, and lemon juice. It’s a reminder of the storms we’ve weathered, the support that keeps us moving, and the spirit that carries us forward—one vital sip at a time.

The 437
Named for the legendary (and slightly exaggerated) depth of the Blue Hole, The 437 channels the vibrant mystery of one of Lost River Cave’s most iconic features. With a stunning blue hue that nods to the swirling waters, this bold cocktail blends gin, vodka, rum, tequila, Blue Curaçao, and lemon-lime soda into one unforgettable sip. Just like the story behind the name, it’s a refreshing reminder that things aren’t always as deep as they seem—but they’re just as thrilling.

TASTY BITES
Indulge in a delightful selection of flavorful bites with a special Cocktails & Trails menu from Montana Grille.
Selections will include: Thai Peanut Chicken Satays with Lime & Cilantro, Korean Meatballs with Toasted Sesame & Cilantro, Tillamook Cheese Dip & Pico de Gallo, Caesar Pasta Salad, Exotic Cheese & Meat Boards with Condiments & Crackers, and Hickory Smoked BBQ Riblets
Silent Auction
Get ready for this year’s event – we’ve got some amazing silent auction goodies lined up just for you! The auction will go live online before the event. Stay tuned!

Games
Join the fun and games at Cocktails & Trails! Snag your game tickets now: 1 for $15, or go big with 5 for just $50 (savings of $25 off)!
Chuck-a-Duck – Chuck your rubber duck into the blue hole goal for a chance to enter a great raffle. One ticket, two ducks per play. Increase your chances to win the more ducks you chuck.
Bourbon Toss sponsored by Calumet Farm – Toss the rings to win great bottles of Calumet bourbon valued between $50 and $130 each! One ticket, two rings per play.
Rock the Boat (NEW!) sponsored by Leigh & Mike Harper – Get ready to party on a rockin’ boat cruise through the cave, singing your heart out to all-time favorite tunes! Stay tuned for exciting themes and sailing schedules. Two tickets for an unforgettable ride!
Human Slot Machine (NEW!) – Step right up and spin the most unpredictable reels in town—your peers! Our Human Slot Machine is part game, part spectacle, and all fun. Watch as three volunteers become living slot machine reels—pull the lever and see if you hit the jackpot (and score a prize)! It’s the perfect blend of chance, cheers, and cocktails. Try your luck and let the good times roll!

Entertainment
Back by popular demand, 5-star rated Top Tier Band from Nashville returns to rock the stage at Cocktails & Trails! Lace up your dancing shoes and get ready to cut a rug.

Members are so important at Lost River Cave, and this event is the best place to get your membership because it comes with a mystery bottle of wine! Every new or renewing member is welcome to pull a bottle of wine at the event. Top bottle’s value to be announced!

Be part of one of Lost River Cave’s most exciting nights of the year! As a volunteer for Cocktails & Trails, you’ll help bring the fun to life—whether you’re guiding guests, running a game, or keeping the silent auction flowing.
Every shift supports our mission to connect people to nature and protect the 72-acre park’s seven natural ecosystems. Plus, you’ll enjoy great energy, awesome people, and the satisfaction of making a difference in your community.
Volunteer Roles:
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🚗 Parking Attendant (4:45–7:00 PM)
Greet guests as they arrive and direct them to available parking spots. -
📱 Silent Auction Helper (4:45–9:45 PM)
Keep bids flowing and assist guests with questions using a tablet. -
🛶 Rock the Boat Crew (4:45–9:45 PM)
Sign guests up and help them line up for a fan-favorite boat ride experience. -
🦆 Chuck-A-Duck Game Host (4:45–9:45 PM)
Encourage guests to toss rubber ducks for a chance to win fun prizes. -
🥃 Bourbon Ring Toss (4:45–9:45 PM)
Help guests aim for a bottle and cheer winners. -
🎰 Human Slot Machine (4:45–9:45 PM)
Bring energy and fun to this lively game. -
🧹 Event Clean-Up Crew (10:00 PM–Midnight)
Lend a hand as we wrap up the night and get the park back in shape.


































