Chicago Cultural Mile kicks off season with "A Toast to Spring"

CHICAGO, April 26, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Chicago Cultural Mile Association is kicking off the season with "A Toast to Spring on the Chicago Cultural Mile." The festivities, sponsored by Tito's Handmade Vodka, are intended to celebrate spring as well as raise money and awareness for the Illinois Patriot Education Fund. The program will be launched on April 28^th and will extend to Memorial Day, when the Chicago Cultural Mile Association will honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country at a ceremony at the General John A. Logan statue in Grant Park at 9^th and Michigan Avenue.

"We are pleased to announce that beginning April 28th, as a part of 'A Toast to Spring on the Chicago Cultural Mile', each participating restaurant on this iconic avenue will unveil a unique 'Cultural Mile Cocktail'," according to J.R. Davis, Chairman and President of the Chicago Cultural Mile Association. "This is the first official collaboration of the restaurants along the stretch of Michigan Avenue south of the Chicago River and we are delighted that this joint promotion will raise funds for such a worthy cause," he continued.

"The Illinois Patriot Education Fund provides scholarships, educational opportunities and mentoring to post 9/11 Illinois military families," said Sharene Shariatzadeh, Executive Director of the Chicago Cultural Mile Association. "We're grateful that Tito's Handmade Vodka and the restauranteurs of the Cultural Mile have joined us in making May a time to honor our heroes and provide support to the Illinois military families that are most in need," she said.

One dollar from the sale of each Cultural Mile Cocktail will be donated to the Illinois Patriot Education Fund.  Participating restaurants include, Acanto, Artist's Café, Aurelio's Pizza, Chuck's – Hard Rock Hotel, Cindy's - Chicago Athletic Association Hotel, The Gage, The Italian Village Restaurants, 720 South Bar and Grill – Hilton Chicago, Kitty O'Sheas – Hilton Chicago, Mercat a la Planxa – Blackstone Hotel, Park Grill – Millennium Park, Remington's, Tavern at the Park and Tesori.

"We are honored to be participating in a program that supports our Illinois military families by investing in their education," said Jim Groves, Area Manager of Illinois for Tito's Handmade Vodka.  "Everyone has been touched by the sacrifices these families have made and this is our chance to return the favor.  By partnering with the Chicago Cultural Mile Association and the restaurants of the Cultural Mile, we hope to make a lasting impact on the lives of these deserving families."

The Chicago Cultural Mile Association is an independent not-for-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness of the unique strengths and diverse offerings available to visitors frequenting the strategic Michigan Avenue location from the river south to Roosevelt Road. The organization's goal is to affect streetscape improvements, market and brand the Chicago Cultural Mile as a destination avenue, create networking opportunities for businesses and institutions along the Mile and build a premier merchant-based advocacy group for citizens and stakeholders of the district. For more information about the Chicago Cultural Mile Association visit chicagoculturalmile.org.

Chicago Cultural Mile Association partner organizations include: Adler Planetarium, American Rhythm Center, American Writers Museum, Arena Americas, Arena Partners, Art Institute of Chicago, Ascend Training, Bert Green Fine Art, Big Bus Tours, Blue Plate Catering, CBRE, Chicago Architecture Foundation, Chicago Athletic Hotel, Chicago Blackhawks, Chicago Children's Choir, Chicago Human Rhythm Project, Chicago Park District, Chicago Public Library, Chicago Trolley and Double Decker, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Sports Commission, Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras, Choose Chicago, Chuck's Manufacturing, City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, The Cliff Dwellers, Coalition Energy, Columbia College Chicago, Comfort Suites, David's Tea, Davis Bancorp, The Field Museum, the Fine Arts Building Studios, Flirt Communications, Gene Siskel Film Center at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Hard Rock Hotel Chicago, Harris Theater at Millennium Park, Hilton Chicago, Hilton Garden Inn Chicago, Hostelling International, Italian Village Restaurants, Joffrey Ballet, Maggie Daley Park, Make It Better, McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum, Mercat a la Planxa, Metropolitan Towers, Millennium Garages, Millennium Park, Modern Classics, Museum of Contemporary Photography at Columbia College, National Louis University, Ossia Musical Forum, Pritzker Military Library, Park Grill Millennium Park, Remington's, Renaissance Blackstone Hotel, The Residence at 330, Roosevelt University, Schaffner Communications, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Skydeck Chicago, SouthLoop Living, Spertus Institute of Jewish Learning and Leadership, Tesori, Trump International Hotel and Tower Chicago, William Harris Lee & Co., Women's Business Development Center, World Chicago         

Contact:
John Pastuovic
312-925-9092

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160425/359566

SOURCE Chicago Cultural Mile Association