In Nebraska, smoking cigars isn’t just something for the “old boys’ club.” In fact, to be a part of the cigar smoking community, one doesn’t even have to love smoking them.
This is the case for co-owner of the Nebraska Cigar Festival, Stacy Griffin. Griffin said it wasn’t the musky flavor and thick smoke that got her hooked on the cigar bar lifestyle.
“I love the people who smoke cigars,” Griffin said. “I love the smell of it and friends involved. I like the camaraderie of being able to sit down with cigar smokers. As a whole, they are very interested in the world around us.”
Creating an environment to meet with old friends and talk about all of the important and unimportant parts of life is what Griffin said the festival hopes to do.
This year, the Nebraska Cigar Festival is on Friday at the Pla Mor Ballroom. General admission tickets are still on sale for $75 at www.nebraskacigarfestival.com, though VIP tickets are already sold out. For all tickets, attendees must be ages 21 and up.
While Griffin has only been part of the cigar world for around eight years, it was co-owner Coby Mach who originally had the idea for the event.
“It really started off with a group of us thinking it would be fun to bring together cigar smokers for one event,” Mach said. “We were just going to throw a small party with 25 to 35 people, and it turned into 100.”
Now in its ninth year, the event anticipates another sellout with a predicted attendance of 320 individuals. General admission features six hand-rolled cigars, hors d’oeuvres and beverages.
New additions will feature fine bourbon and whiskey tastings along with more advanced ventilation for the large turnout. Despite the state’s indoor smoking ban, the event is able to take place due to a special waiver from the State of Nebraska.
Although the event is centered around smoking and socializing, the festival also offers opportunities for attendees to purchase goods typically associated with cigar smoking.
Vendors selling fedoras, art made from cigar wrappers, humidors and, of course, cigars themselves, are all set up at the event. Along with smoking and shopping, learning is a large part of the festival.
“You hear about a lot of people doing wine tastings,” Mach said. “It’s very similar to that. People want to taste the different earths and see the different styles in which tobacco is rolled and turned into cigars.”
Griffin emphasized that the demographic in attendance at the event is incredibly varied.
“Cigar smokers come in all shapes and sizes,” Griffin said. “There are more females that smoke cigars than you would anticipate.”
In the past, people from Kansas, Missouri, Colorado and South Dakota have all been in attendance.
While the event is all about smoking good cigars, the festival is not exclusive to smoking aficionados only.
“This is one of the best learning opportunities,” Griffin said. “People can talk to cigar shop owners and cigar manufactures with any questions they have. But it’s not just the suppliers who they can talk to; many of the guests are very knowledgeable.”
Big Lincoln names such as Jake’s Cigars & Spirits will be present, along with vendors from international cigar brands such as La Flor Dominicana and Dunhill. The festival is all about learning and showcasing all that Nebraska has to offer in the cigar world, Mach said.
“Our goal is to help promote the local retailers and cigar smoking as a pastime and hobby,” Mach said.
arts@dailynebraskan.com
This is the case for co-owner of the Nebraska Cigar Festival, Stacy Griffin. Griffin said it wasn’t the musky flavor and thick smoke that got her hooked on the cigar bar lifestyle.
“I love the people who smoke cigars,” Griffin said. “I love the smell of it and friends involved. I like the camaraderie of being able to sit down with cigar smokers. As a whole, they are very interested in the world around us.”
Creating an environment to meet with old friends and talk about all of the important and unimportant parts of life is what Griffin said the festival hopes to do.
This year, the Nebraska Cigar Festival is on Friday at the Pla Mor Ballroom. General admission tickets are still on sale for $75 at www.nebraskacigarfestival.com, though VIP tickets are already sold out. For all tickets, attendees must be ages 21 and up.
While Griffin has only been part of the cigar world for around eight years, it was co-owner Coby Mach who originally had the idea for the event.
“It really started off with a group of us thinking it would be fun to bring together cigar smokers for one event,” Mach said. “We were just going to throw a small party with 25 to 35 people, and it turned into 100.”
Now in its ninth year, the event anticipates another sellout with a predicted attendance of 320 individuals. General admission features six hand-rolled cigars, hors d’oeuvres and beverages.
New additions will feature fine bourbon and whiskey tastings along with more advanced ventilation for the large turnout. Despite the state’s indoor smoking ban, the event is able to take place due to a special waiver from the State of Nebraska.
Although the event is centered around smoking and socializing, the festival also offers opportunities for attendees to purchase goods typically associated with cigar smoking.
Vendors selling fedoras, art made from cigar wrappers, humidors and, of course, cigars themselves, are all set up at the event. Along with smoking and shopping, learning is a large part of the festival.
“You hear about a lot of people doing wine tastings,” Mach said. “It’s very similar to that. People want to taste the different earths and see the different styles in which tobacco is rolled and turned into cigars.”
Griffin emphasized that the demographic in attendance at the event is incredibly varied.
“Cigar smokers come in all shapes and sizes,” Griffin said. “There are more females that smoke cigars than you would anticipate.”
In the past, people from Kansas, Missouri, Colorado and South Dakota have all been in attendance.
While the event is all about smoking good cigars, the festival is not exclusive to smoking aficionados only.
“This is one of the best learning opportunities,” Griffin said. “People can talk to cigar shop owners and cigar manufactures with any questions they have. But it’s not just the suppliers who they can talk to; many of the guests are very knowledgeable.”
Big Lincoln names such as Jake’s Cigars & Spirits will be present, along with vendors from international cigar brands such as La Flor Dominicana and Dunhill. The festival is all about learning and showcasing all that Nebraska has to offer in the cigar world, Mach said.
“Our goal is to help promote the local retailers and cigar smoking as a pastime and hobby,” Mach said.
arts@dailynebraskan.com
Resource: http://www.dailynebraskan.com/arts_and_entertainment/upcoming-lincoln-festival-to-celebrate-cigar-bar-lifestyle/article_41f06f0e-be55-11e5-84f5-a3af8382f3ef.html
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