One night. Fourteen suspects.
One killer. 100 investigators. Zero mercy.
Everyone gets a real character from 1928 Rockford — including:
INDUSTRIALISTS
BANKERS
BOOTLEGGERS
MOBSTERS
THE PRESS
SWEDISH COMMUNITY
BARNSTORMERS
CIVIC LEADERS
The original Machesney Airport — where Bert Hassell and Shorty Cramer launched their historic Great Circle Route attempt — no longer exists. On May 30, 2026,
Barnstormer Distillery is recreating it and the night of August 15, 1928 at our venue. The aircraft is fueled. The first attempt already crashed.
The investors, aviators, bootleggers, and press of Rockford have gathered one more time. Before morning, someone will be dead. Your job is to find out who.
“The people who were in that room on August 15, 1928 were real.
The aircraft was real. The money was real. The murder — that’s ours.”
— Tim Ford, Master Distiller & Host
characters with only a few exceptions (to protect the innocent) are drawn from the actual people who built 1928 Rockford.
65 minutes. Your team competes against eleven others.
the door. Five different Prohibition-era grazing stations throughout the venue.
How the night unfolds
Every guest must speak the password at the door to enter. Yours will be confirmed in your ticket email. There is no other way in.
Five Prohibition-Era Food Stations
Grazing format. All stations open at 5:30 PM and run through the evening. Every dish is made in-house — period and theme appropriate, no rewarmed mass-produced fare. Farm-to-glass philosophy throughout: estate-grown ingredients where possible, Barnstormer spirits in the kitchen and behind the bar.
- Estate Horseradish Deviled Eggs
- Prohibition Pickles Board
- Chicken Liver Mousse on Rye Crisps
- Estate Honey & Chèvre Crostini
- Estate Honey Speakeasy Bar Nuts
- Pulled Pork Sliders on Brioche
- Smoked Sausage Board with Horseradish Cream
- Estate Honey Corn Fritters
- Mechanic’s Mac & Cheese Bites
- Herb-Crusted Beef Tenderloin Crostini
- Cucumber & Dill Tea Sandwiches
- Estate Herb Frittata Squares
- Rhubarb & Brie Phyllo Bites
- Swedish Meatballs in Estate Herb Cream Sauce
- Classic Smörgåsbord Board
- Estate Honey Dark Rye Bread
- Estate Rhubarb Panna Cotta (shot glasses)
- House Gravlax with Mustard-Dill Sauce (passed)
- Smoked Salmon Blinis (passed)
- Charcuterie & Cheese Board
- Brie & Lingonberry Board
- Microgreen & Estate Herb Salad Cups
- Honey-Glazed Chicken Skewers
Choose your role
Aviator Club member pricing shown. Not a member? Visit the Tasting Room during open hours and join before reserving your seats to save on this event and future events.
- Assigned character with backstory card
- Investigation team assignment (Teams 02–13)
- Team members work together using a task card evidence system to solve the murder
- Full grazing dinner — five stations
- Welcome themed cocktail & one feature menu cocktail included
- Iced tea & lemonade stations throughout the venue.
- Additional full bar & mocktails available for purchase
- Everything in Detective
- Fully immersed in the storyline with key character intersections and tasks to perform
- Full character briefing card
- All Premier benefits included
- Named VIP suspect role — full character (period attire required)
- Private 4:30 PM suspect briefing with Tim
- Scripted confrontation scenes
- Evidence interaction authority
- Full open bar included
Member pricing applied at checkout. Barnstormer Aviator Club Annual membership is $35 single or $65 dual — and includes early access to spirit releases, event pre-sales, new product drops throughout the year, members-only discounts, a Birthday drink, and an invitation to the annual Aviator Party. Join at checkout or at the bar for future events.
Barnstormer Distillery
6969 S. Main Street
Rockford, Illinois 61102
A recreated aircraft hangar on a 22-acre working farm.
The building that inspired this event. Period-appropriate in ways
no venue rental can replicate.
Dress code: 1928 era strongly encouraged.
Aviator, flapper, gangster, industrialist — pick your character,
dress the part.
Parking: On-site. Tent bar opens at 4:00 PM —
arrive early.
Capacity: 100 guests. This event will sell out.
The Choice Is Yours
You can visit another distillery that follows the rules, uses automation, and plays it safe with predictable flavors.
Or you can experience what happens when innovation meets Illinois tradition in an actual aircraft hangar.
Come taste the difference. Come be part of the revival.
| Upcoming Events | View Full Calendar | See Our Spirits | Gift Cards Available | Tours | Custom Barrels | Contact
Follow us for updates: Facebook | Instagram
THE ALCOHOL PRODUCTS ON THIS WEBSITE ARE INTENDED FOR ADULTS ONLY. By entering this website, you certify that you are of legal drinking age in the location in which you reside (age 21+ in the United States).