Bourbon Cowboy and 627 Event Space are teaming up to ring in the new year together, all for a great cause.
On New Year’s Eve, Bourbon will be hosting its regular midnight balloon drop, which will see several balloons full of cash dropping from the ceiling in celebration of the start of 2026. This year, however, the balloons will have a little something special inside them, $50 charitable donation certificates that will help to benefit eight local non-profits, according to Bourbon Cowboy owner Susan Brinkman.
Those who find a gift certificate in their balloons will also receive a $10 gift certificate from 627 Event Space.
The eight non-profits were chosen by Bourbon and 627 staff and all have a special connection to either the businesses or employees, according to Brinkman. She says the event is the perfect way to raise awareness for these various agencies while also serving as a unique source of inspiration for the next generation of “philanthropic-minded Emporians.”
The eight entities that will benefit from the event are as follows:
Friends of the Emporia Public Library
Street Cats Club
Kansas Talking Books
Southwick House
Shiloh House
The Emporia Senior Center
Bloom House Youth Services
Beacon For Hope Suicide Prevention
Brinkman says she wishes they could support more agencies; however, they do have a small budget they must work within right now, but she is optimistic that won’t be the case in years to come.
The event will also include live music from popular local band Brick Horse starting at 10 pm.
In addition to the charity balloon drop, New Year’s Eve festivities in Emporia will also include a dance party at the Gufler Mansion starting at 9 pm. The party is $50 to attend and will include entertainment, hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar and a champagne toast at midnight.
10 West Grill and Dive Bar will also be hosting a New Year’s Eve party that will actually go back to the turn of the century with a Y2K theme starting at 9 pm. The cost to attend will be $10, with attendees encouraged to dress in their best early-2000s attire.
Whether you’re supporting a great cause, dancing the night away, or taking a trip back in time on New Year’s, residents are reminded to take action before they head out into the night and make plans for safe transportation and celebration. The Emporia Police Department is asking residents to have a designated driver, call a ride share, or make sleeping arrangements if they plan to be out and partaking in alcohol or other substances.
Law enforcement will be out in greater force the next several days with the annual Taking Down DUI campaign underway through Friday. For those caught driving under the influence, the consequences could be severe, including potential jail time, loss of driving privileges and severe financial penalties.
