Frankfort, Kentucky - If sampling some of the world's finest bourbons, eating good food and listening to some great bluegrass music sounds like a fun Saturday night for you, then the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Foundation has just what the doctor ordered at the Salato Wildlife Education Center in Frankfort June 13.

Hosted by The Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Foundation (501c3) and the Kentucky Bourbon Festival, Inc. (501c3), The Bourbon Sampler helps raise funds for new exhibits at the Salato Center. You can sample bourbon from 10 major Kentucky distilleries, and excellent food from area restaurants and caterers.

County Line Bluegrass will play fine bluegrass music throughout the event, outdoor exhibits will be lighted for evening viewing, and Salato staff and volunteers will offer free tours and programs. A silent auction will help raise additional funds for the Center.

In addition, a live drawing will be held for the Foundation's bull elk tag. The lucky winner will receive a guided elk hunt this year with "Kentucky Afield" television host Tim Farmer. As a bonus, the hunt will air on "Kentucky Afield" television. Raffle tickets for the elk hunt will be sold throughout the evening. Proceeds from the elk tag drawing will benefit our conservation camps for Kentucky's youth.

"This has been one of our most popular fundraising events," said Laurie Davison, director of the Salato Center. "We rely on donations to the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Foundation and events like this for much of our funding. It's a great way to support a worthy cause and have fun while you're doing it."

The Salato Center Sampler will begin at 6:30 p.m. and last until 9 p.m. Tickets may be purchased for $50 a person in advance by calling the Kentucky Bourbon Festival at 1-800-638-4877 or (502) 348-3623. Advanced tickets are also available online at www.kybourbonfestival.com, or in person at the Salato Center. The cost of tickets and silent auction purchases are tax deductible.

Tickets may be purchased at the door the night of the event by cash or check only. The event is limited to 500 participants. Thirty five dollars from every ticket will go to the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the remaining $15 to the Kentucky Bourbon Festival, Inc. All silent auction proceeds benefit the Salato Center directly.

The Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Foundation is a charitable organization that raises funds for exhibits at the Salato Wildlife Education Center. The Salato Center, a part of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, receives no General Fund tax dollars and is funded by donations to the Foundation, by the sale of hunting and fishing licenses, and boat registrations. For more information about the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Foundation, go to www.kentuckywildlife.com.

The Salato Center has a variety of native animals for the public to see, including a black bear, bobcats, elk, deer, bison, eagles, snakes and fish. The Center has numerous indoor exhibits and miles of hiking trails open to the public. Fishing is available at two lakes. While some programs may require a registration fee, general admission to the Salato Center is free.

For more information call 1-800-858-1549, ext. 4445. Learn more about upcoming events at the Salato Center on the Internet at fw.ky.gov. The Salato Center, operated by Kentucky Fish and Wildlife, is located at the department's headquarters on U.S. 60 in Frankfort, 1.5 miles west of U.S. 127. Hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays. The Center is closed Sundays, Mondays and state holidays.

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The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources manages, regulates, enforces and promotes responsible use of all fish and wildlife species, their habitats, public wildlife areas and waterways for the benefit of those resources and for public enjoyment. The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources is an agency of the Tourism, Arts, and Heritage Cabinet. For more information on the department, visit our web site at fw.ky.gov.