Miners Hall Museum Announces 2026 Making Spirits Bright Celebrity Bartenders
What do you think?
The wait is over! Miners Hall Museum is excited to introduce the 2026 Celebrity Bartenders for Making Spirits Bright – Raise a Glass to Victory, set for Saturday, October 24.
This year’s lineup brings together six—or perhaps we should say seven—familiar faces from across Southeast Kansas who are ready to mix up an evening filled with signature drinks, friendly competition, plenty of laughter and a whole lot of fun.
Meet the 2026 Celebrity Bartenders:
Matthew Buck – Marketing Coordinator, Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas
Chuckie Hessong – Laughing Rooster Eats food blogger, photographer, author and head cook
Seth Nutt – Director, Frontenac Public Library, and creator of Frontenac Heritage Hall
Patrick O’Bryan – Former Pittsburg Mayor, longtime community and business leader
Team Gorilla: Dr. Thomas Newsom & Dr. Susan Bon – Pittsburg State University President Thomas Newsom and Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Susan Bon will join forces this year, competing together for the coveted Favorite Bartender Award.
And returning once again is our veteran Celebrity Bartender and perennial fan favorite:
Thom Watts – Zimmer Marketing radio personality
Watts has become a Making Spirits Bright tradition. With his outgoing personality and knack for keeping everyone entertained, he returns each year to welcome the newest Celebrity Bartenders, show them the ropes and help keep the fun flowing throughout the evening.
Our Celebrity Bartenders will be assisted behind the bar by an equally enthusiastic crew of Miners Hall Museum trustees. Together, they are ready to make this year’s event one to remember.
VOTE EARLY...AND VOTE OFTEN!
The friendly competition begins September 9! Each Celebrity Bartender—or Celebrity Bartender Team—will be competing for the coveted Favorite Bartender Award, and everyone can help choose the winner.
$1 = 1 vote, and there’s no limit to how often you can vote!
Each Celebrity Bartender will have an individual voting QR code, with Team Gorilla—Dr. Thomas Newsom and Dr. Susan Bon—sharing one QR code and competing together as one entry.
Beginning September 9, watch the Miners Hall Museum social media pages for bartender spotlights, voting information and QR codes.
Vote for your favorite—or spread the love around—but remember our favorite advice: Vote early and vote often!
Every vote supports Miners Hall Museum while helping your favorite Celebrity Bartender—or team—move closer to claiming this year’s bragging rights and the Favorite Bartender Award.
Raise a Glass to Victory!
This year’s Making Spirits Bright – Raise a Glass to Victory celebrates Yorktown Victory Day, 250 years of American spirit and Pittsburg’s 150th anniversary with an evening of signature drinks, delicious bites, friendly competition and plenty of fun.
Saturday, October 24, 2026
5 PM and 7 PM sessions
Miners Hall Museum
701 S. Broadway St., Franklin, Kansas
Members get first chance at tickets!
Member ticket sales open September 28.
General public ticket sales open October 5.
Tickets are $25 and guests may choose either the 5 PM or 7 PM session, but early reservations are encouraged. Making Spirits Bright is traditionally a sellout, and reservations go quickly.
