NKyTribune staff
The Bean Bash has announced that the annual fundraiser to benefit area nonprofits raised $107,000 this year.
The Bean Bash began in the summer of 1974. It was started by Former KY State Rep. Bill McBee and was initially conceived as a political event, but is now a fundraiser to benefit disabled children and adults in the NKY region. The charities that participate are New Perceptions, Special Olympics of NKY, Redwood and BAWAC.
Bean Bash representatives issued the following statement, thanking the Northern Kentucky community for its support of the event.
“As we prepare to cross into 2018, everyone involved with The Bean Bash would like to say THANK YOU for helping us have another successful year! At our recent wrap-up meeting, the final amount raised was $107,000. This money is divided among our four, wonderful non-profit agencies who provide much-needed services for special needs children and adults in NKY all year long; Special Olympics of Northern Kentucky, Bawac, Inc., Redwood and New Perceptions.”
Hope you had a great Christmas and have a safe and Happy New Year! See you in 2018.”
The first location of the Bean Bash was the Mid Valley Pipe Line Park on Limaburg Road in Hebron. The bash consisted of bean soup, tomatoes, slaw, and cornbread, cooked on site.
The Bean Bash grew and was moved to Latonia Race Course (now Turfway Park) in the early 1980’s. It was originally held entirely outdoors. As it further grew, it was moved inside.
The Bean Bash was reinvented because of, Steve McBee, Bill’s son, who had special needs and passed away in 2009. Bill McBee died two years later.
Despite the losses of those key members of the McBee family, the Bean Bash has endured as opportunity for the Northern Kentucky community to show its support for these charities and their outstanding programs.
Each Bean Bash has had a strong schedule of events. In the past, governors, lieutenant governors, state representatives, state senators and U.S. senators have attended and made speeches.
This year, the Bean Bash moved to the St. Elizabeth Technology Education Center, but the Bean Bash Dash, a 5K run that has become an event tradition, remained at Turfway Park.
