Thirsty? You're in luck.

Highwood kicks off its third annual Bloody Mary Festival this Sunday. As it's done in the last two years, the festival delivers 40 vendors that will mix up specialty Bloody Marys, food and live music throughout the day. The event will be in Everts Park in Highwood from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on June 24. 

The event begins with a Bloody Buddy 5K Challenge that starts at 9 a.m. and benefits the Huntington's Disease Society of America. Registration for the race is still open.

And what would a Bloody Mary Festival be without someone judging the Bloody Marys? Well, Patch is fortunate enough to have columnist Ed Brill participating as one of the judges at this year's festival. Look out for him throughout the day, though if you have a question or comment for him about Rosewood Beach or Fort Sheridan, I encourage you to ask him earlier rather than later. The man has a lot of Bloody Marys to try.

As Brill summed up last year when writing about the event:

The event is not as boozy as it sounds, though there were 30 (30!) vendors on hand making their own versions of the classic cocktail. More than the drinks, Bloody Mary Fest featured restaurants and snacks from Highwood and the North Shore, live music, bouncy houses and even a sprinkler for the kids to cool off in the heat.

I have no idea how many thousands of visitors came through Highwood this week as a result of Bloody Mary Fest. They came by train, car and bike to check it out. They left happier, even with a slightly lighter wallet. That is what summer festivals should be all about.

So come out this Sunday and check out the festival, and say hello to Patch. We'll be there, enjoying the food, the music and trying not to drink too much.