Come on a CoolCraft Summer Safari with Me!Come on a CoolCraft Summer Safari with Me!West Volusia Tourism Authority Invites Visitors to Cut Out Some Time this Summer for a CoolCation DeLand, FL - It's time to don your pith helmet and hit the trail! West Volusia Tourism Advertising Authority's (WVTAA) award-winning beverage competition, CoolCraft Summer, is returning for its fourth year starting June 23 through September 1 with a Summer Safari. Across West Volusia County, 22 local coffee roasters, breweries, tea purveyors, and mixologists have crafted unique beverages inspired by different animals for the fourth annual CoolCraft Summer Beverage Competition. All summer long, visitors can embark on a flavor-filled safari, sampling these wild creations and voting for their favorite at coolcraftrail.com/summer. Each participating location was tasked with creating a featured beverage based on the event's theme, "Summer Safari." Whether it's a WILD (alcoholic) or MILD (alcohol-free) beverage, each CoolCraft Summer Safari creation captures the spirit of the animal it is inspired by. Lions, Tigers, Kangaroos and Pink Panthers are among the animals that have been chosen. Travelers will be able to try each drink and vote for their favorite at coolcraftrail.com/summer. Need a break after hitting the trail? Stay overnight with one of our “CoolCation” partners. Throughout the region, downtown hotels like the DeLand Hotel, Holiday Inn Express and Suites - DeLand South, and the Comfort Inn DeLand, and riverside resorts like Hontoon Landing Resort on the St. Johns River, will be offering special rates for the Summer Safari. If you book a stay with any of these partners, using the codes or links posted on the CoolCraft website, you'll receive a CoolCraft Summer Safari goodie bag at check-in filled with souvenirs, specials and drinks! While voting for CoolCraft Summer Safari starts on June 23, West Volusia Tourism will be hosting an official Kickoff event at Whit's Frozen Custard in Downtown DeLand on June 27 at 5:30 p.m. Guests will check in at Whits, learn more about the Summer Safari, and cut out their own Summer Safari Animal from the event poster. Those who cut out an animal that evening will be entered into a drawing that evening for a safari trip of their own on the St. Johns River with the new DeLand-based Osprey Boat Tours. See spectacular wildlife for yourself—like alligators, turtles, and the many birds that call West Volusia home. "It's a CoolCraft Summer Safari!" said Georgia Turner, Executive Director of WVTAA. "We're so excited for this year; it's going to be a blast! There are some new additions and some old favorites participating. The little animal cutouts are all so cute! We can't wait for you to try these spectacular drinks." Entering its fourth year, CoolCraft Summer has become a staple of West Volusia's Summer Events Calendar. Last year's CoolCraft Summer World Tour brought international beverages and cultural gems to West Volusia and garnered more than 1,000 votes from visitors to the West Volusia Area. This Summer, guests are encouraged to try each location's drink and then vote for the ones they like best at coolcraftrail.com/summer. For the complete list of CoolCraft Summer entries, and to start planning your summer, visit coolcrafttrail.com/summer. Last summer's CoolCraft Summer World Tour saw Blue Springs Brewing win gold in the alcoholic category with their Mexico-inspired beverage, "Pancho Chela." Parvathy's Kitchen was crowned winner of the non-alcoholic category with their India-inspired beverage, "Mango Lassi.” About CoolCraft: The CoolCraft Beverage Trail by WVTAA is a guide to the best breweries, wineries, pubs, and other craft beverage producers within West Volusia County. Visitors can follow the trail year-round or during specialty events, CoolCraft Summer and CoolCraft Christmas. About West Volusia County: Conveniently located between Orlando and Daytona Beach, West Volusia County, Florida offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy parks, pristine natural beauty, historical homes like Stetson Mansion, a vibrant downtown, and award-winning restaurants within 14 distinct communities. Visitors can also enjoy Downtown DeLand - voted America's BEST Mainstreet - and its many delectable restaurants, or for a bit more adventure, head out on the St. Johns River or explore the Blue Spring State Park. These are just a few of the many natural, cultural and historical area attractions you will find when visiting West Volusia County. Link: http://coolcrafttrail.com/summer Submitted: 06/17/25 Article By: West Volusia Tourism Advertising Authority |