Getting Erie's 40 Under 40 Experience

Friday, Oct. 5

Since 2013, Erie's 40 Under 40 has been one of the Erie Reader's flagship offerings, equaled only by the Best of Erie awards. The driving force behind Erie's 40 Under 40 is to recognize the talented young individuals in our community who are making our city a better place. There are all kinds of innovators, entrepreneurs, and creative people who continue to breathe new life into our region. With Erie's 40 Under 40 Experience, the public will have a chance unlike any other to witness all of this in action. The event is hosted as a joint effort by The Erie Reader and Young Erie Professionals, and is presented by the Erie Community Foundation. Held on the second floor of Lovell Place, the space will be transformed into a "cocktail chic" atmosphere that promises to not only be an unparalleled networking opportunity — something that Young Erie Professionals have honed to a science — but a celebration of local music, art, and one of the best gatherings of local food and drink all year. Guests will get to sample food from local favorites like 1201 Kitchen, Bolero, Lavery Brewing Co., the Sheraton Bayfront Grille, Molly Brannigan's, Cork 1794, Skunk & Goat Tavern, Room 33, Virgil's Plate, U Pick Six, and more. On hand will also be beer, wine, and alcohol from The Brewerie at Union Station, Cart/Horse Distilling, Erie Beer featuring Fat Head's Brewery, Five & 20 Spirits and Brewing, Lavery Brewing Co., Luminary Distilling, and Voodoo Brewery. There will also be a special group of musicians made up entirely of past honorees (including Matt Boland, Eric Brewer, Charles Brown, Tavon Markov, Zack Orr, Jess Royer, and Brooke Surgener). DJ Jonny Evans will be closing out the evening as well. There will be live tattooing from Jess Scutella and Leslie Fiolek Hess, with Heather Cash painting live, and photographer Jennifer Dworek giving a makeover to a lucky winner. There will also be a special silent auction thanks to many area donors, and each attendee will receive a commemorative glass snifter. Prior 40 Under 40 honorees may remember yearly get-togethers, but this event will be something wholly new, a grand to-do bringing together so many aspects of what makes Erie innovative and unique. — Nick Warren

7 p.m. to 10 p.m. // Lovell Place, Second Floor, 153 E 13th St // $75 general admission //  eriepa.com/40-under-40-experience