The inaugural Bourbon & Bowties event was established by family and friends in memory of Charles W. Gant, a loving and energetic 8-year-old boy who passed away from viral encephalitis on June 3, 2009. Since then, Bourbon & Bowties has honored Laurel Dortch, Maxwell Johnson, Owen McMasters, Anna-Maria Beck, Clara and Wilson McGarvey, Tanner Demling, Mason Christensen, Mya White, Hazel Leggett, Johnathan Young, James Logan Vaughn and Annalise Aguirre.