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Balmorhea Blue Pool Parties: Garrison Brothers Distillery Announce ‘Good Bourbon for a Good Cause’

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Tony Maples Photography

 

It’s been announced that Garrison Brothers Distillery, based in Hye, in the Texas Hill Country, will be holding a series of progressive pool parties with the goal of fundraising for the “…improvement, beautification, and preservation of Balmorhea State Park.” The announcement comes on the heels of this state park’s pool closure by Texas Parks & Wildlife. Dan Garrison, owner of Garrison Brothers Distillery, stated that this move was being made as a gesture to “…give back to the springs that have given so much to generations of Texas families.”

The indefinite closure of the Balmorhea State Park’s pool was announced due to structural failure as a result of damage to the concrete apron beneath the diving board. Used to stabilize the pool walls and protect from erosion, the apron was damaged during the pool’s annual cleaning on May 6, 2018. Consequently, concerned citizens and members of the private sector are stepping forward in efforts to raise the funds required for the repairs and maintenance in the park.

Balmorhea Blue Pool Parties: Garrison Brothers Distillery Announce ‘Good Bourbon for a Good Cause’

Photo: Facebook/Balmorhea State Park – Texas Parks and Wildlife

This need for additional funding for Texas State Parks is nothing new. In 2015, Texas lawmakers passed a law dedicating 94 percent of all sporting good tax dollars to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, but after the state required the dollars for other uses, that allocation dropped to 83 percent. Although the 85th Texas Legislative session saw the dedication of $49 million to repairs to our state parks, by June 2017, the TPWD had over $580 million in backlogged maintenance required at 91 state parks. Visitor numbers have increased from year-to-year. 2016 saw 9 million visitors, 500K more than in the previous year. The outstanding backlog is hard to fathom for business-owners and avid outdoorsmen such as Garrison. “Balmorhea State Park is a Texas treasure,” said Garrison in a recent statement. “We’re going to work closely with Texas Parks and Wildlife and we’re gonna fix it! We’re about to show the world the power of good bourbon and good people. And when the pool reopens, we’re going to throw the largest pool party anyone’s ever seen out there, and everyone who made a contribution is coming.”

Partnering with a few of the legendary hotels throughout Texas, Garrison is coordinating a series of progressive pool parties which are aimed at raising money for the state park. Dubbed Balmorhea Blue, these daytime pool parties will include poolside tastings of Garrison Brothers’ double barrel bourbon named after Balmorhea, cocktails that include Balmorhea bourbon, a water volleyball game, a water aerobics class, live music, and dancing. Tickets for these amazing Texas pool parties start at $100 and can be purchased at the link provided here. Confirmed dates and hotel partners include June 23 at Sonesta Bee Cave in Austin, as well as June 29 and 30 at the Gage Hotel in Marathon. Pending dates for Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, and Fort Worth will be listed as coordinated at the link provided here. 100 percent of all profits and donations will be going to the Balmorhea State Park restricted fund of the Texas Parks & Wildlife Foundation.

 

Balmorhea Blue Pool Parties: Garrison Brothers Distillery Announce ‘Good Bourbon for a Good Cause’

Photo: Facebook/Balmorhea State Park – Texas Parks and Wildlife

Dan and Nancy Garrison and Master Distiller Donnis Todd have formed a 501(c)(3) public charity called Good Bourbon for a Good Cause, which has been coordinated exclusively for charitable purposes. Good Bourbon for a Good Cause will make distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The public charity will accept tax-deductible contributions from individuals and organizations who are interested in helping to a) restore Balmorhea State Park; b) help current or former military veterans and their families; c) help former military personnel get back to leading a rewarding life; d) help veterans recover from debilitating medical, mental, or psychological challenges; and, e) preserve Texas’ nature, wildlife, green spaces, or historical treasures. It will also donate to organizations that the staff of Garrison Brothers Distillery wishes to support. To make a donation towards the reconstruction, preservation, and beautification of Balmorhea State Park, send contributions by money order or check to Balmorhea Blue at Good Bourbon for a Good Cause, 517 West 39th Street, Austin, Texas 78751. Please include your name, email address, address, and phone number.