Guest Bartender Events Summer 2025

Golden Apple has held Guest Bartender events on 4 separate nights in the past and all on one night last year. This summer, we will have the 4 events but over 3 nights!

First up is Belvidere CUSD100, tending the bar from 4-7 p.m. Monday, July 7, at Coach’s Corner, 622 S. State St., Belvidere. Enjoy drinks and dinner. We’ll get a portion of receipts and all the tips in the tip jar! There is also a car show from 5-9 p.m. that night, along with Texas Hold ‘Em at 7 p.m.! Outside, they will have a bar and a smoker grill to offer ribs and pulled pork. Raffle packages include four tickets to a Brewer’s Game Aug. 9 vs. the Mets. The seats are behind home plate and the package includes VIP parking and snacks.

Harlem CUSD122 will be giving it their all from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, July 16, at Rascals Bar & Grill, 5223 Torque Road, Loves Park. Enjoy a mid-week night out for drinks and food to support Harlem and Golden Apple! There will be a silent auction for your bidding pleasure, too! We’ll get a percentage of food and beverage purchases and all the tips.

At the same time — 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, July 16, RPS205 will be tending the bar at Ernie’s Midtown Pub, 1025 Fifth Ave., Rockford. Swing by Ernie’s for dinner and/or drinks. A portion of purchases will go back to Golden Apple. Tip our guest bartenders from RPS205 (including Superintendent Dr. Ehren Jarrett!) well to donate to us!

Last, but not least by any means, is Hononegah Nation (Hononegah, Shirland, Kinnikinnick, Roscoe/Rockton and Prairie Hill schools)! Join Golden Apple and Hononegah Nation educators for a FUNdraiser from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, July 17, back at Louie’s TapHouse, 5689 Elevator Road, Roscoe! We’ll get a portion of food and beverage sales and 100% of tips you leave in our tip jar!

Proceeds from each of these events will support Golden Apple’s mission to recognize teachers and empower them with classroom resources to improve educational outcomes in our community. Since 1997, Golden Apple has been inspiring, celebrating and supporting educational excellence in public and private schools in Winnebago and Boone counties through our core programs awards and recognition, grants, scholarships, the Teacher Academy and community engagement.

We’re excited to see you at one or all of these fun, relaxing events to mix, mingle and raise some money!