Editor’s note: The following is a press release from The Simple Goodness Sisters.

The Old Fashioned Fest is back for its fourth annual celebration next month, bringing together the best of Pacific Northwest distilleries, artisanal bitters, and farm-fresh syrups for an unforgettable tasting experience in Wilkeson, WA. Set in this tranquil small town that contains more historic markers than storefronts, the festival has a decidedly modern approach to mixology and will nearly double the small town’s population for the day.

Visiting distilleries are asked to imagine a brand new expression of the classic cocktail, in flavors ranging from Fig Cardamom to Lavender, and cocktail enthusiasts are invited to savor the innovative twists on the cocktail at a day awash with whiskey, live music, and merriment, this year to include a raw oyster bar and on demand tattooing.

As fresh as it sounds, this is also a celebration about bridging the gap between today and a bygone era, both in drink and in the desire of its founders to bring new energy to the town of Wilkeson.

The world’s oldest whiskey cocktail recipe was first recorded in 1880, just 4 years after the Northern Pacific Railway built a line to the town of Wilkeson. It was this connected history that first gave the owners of the Simple Goodness Soda Shop the idea for the cocktail festival.

“As we studied the history of the town and of our building, I liked to imagine the drinks that would have been served. The Old Fashioned probably didn’t reach Wilkeson for a few years after its invention, given its remoteness, but I know more than a few were enjoyed during its heyday,” said owner Belinda Kelly. “I also thought the cocktail would be the perfect blank slate for modernizing, and sharing with whiskey enthusiasts in the South Sound.”

Distilleries as far flung as Leavenworth, WA and Post Falls, Idaho, agree with Belinda, returning each year for the festival.

“At Blue Spirits Distilling we love kicking off Spring at Old Fashioned Fest- its all about fun, flavor, and little friendly competition, said Blue Spirits Distilling Brand Strategist Katie Kiele. “There’s nothing quite like going head to head with fellow distilleries over the cocktail we all love most: the Old Fashioned.”

This year’s festival date is May 17, taking place fresh on the heels of the recent announcement of the closure of the Fairfax bridge, the closure of which will prevent access to the popular tourist destinations of Mowich Lake, the Mount Rainier Wonderland Trail route, and Evans Creek offroading park, as well as some local residents who live just beyond the bridge.

“It’s incredibly disappointing news,” said co-owner of the Soda Shop, Venise Cunningham. “Wilkeson is a uniquely special town and the Carbon Glacier Highway is the way that a whole lot of people discover that each year. With the road closed, will they still make the drive?”

The closure will have a marked effect on small town, which remains deep in history and short on residents, and their accompanying tax dollars. As the main thoroughway that leads to the entrance to Rainier, summer traffic has been essential for commercial survival. The Old Fashioned Fest is an example of one business’ fight for survival, celebrating the past while the future is uncertain.

General admission tickets are $50, or $100 for VIP tickets which includes access to seating in the event room, grazing board and snacks, two additional tasting tickets, swag bag, admission, program, commemorative tasting glass, concert, a meet-the-makers festival event.

You can also purchase general admission designated driver tickets for $25, or $50 for the VIP experience.

Tickets can be bought at eventbrite.com/o/simple-goodness-sisters-90980092613.