A MIDSUMMER EVENING

Elawa Farm is celebrating the longest day of the year at its Summer Solstice Pig Roast on Saturday, June 20.

ON THE LONGEST DAY OF THE YEAR, as the sun stretches late into the evening over Lake Forest, Elawa Farm will gather the community for an event that is both celebratory and deeply rooted in purpose.

The Summer Solstice BBQ will take place on Saturday, June 20, at Elawa Farm.

Co-chaired this year by Kate Holland, Ben Olson, and Mike Salgat, it has quickly become one of the farm’s most anticipated events—a night that pairs an elevated, seasonal meal with a mission that extends far beyond the table. Set against the sweeping backdrop of the Middlefork Savanna, the evening brings together local ingredients, a celebrity chef, and a shared commitment to nourishing the community.

“Our love language at Elawa Farm is feeding people,” says Laura Calvert, executive director of Elawa Farm Foundation. “We love to align with top culinary talent and break bread with the community at this event, which also happens to be the longest day of the year—something that is significant to us as farmers. The evening directly supports feeding our neighbors facing food insecurity.”

That dual purpose—celebration and service—is at the heart of everything Elawa does.

“Our mission is to connect people to each other and the land,” Calvert explains. “By doing this, we increase access to education, nutritious food, and our local food system. We are proud to donate thousands of servings of fresh, healthy food to families each year, provide meaningful employment to individuals with developmental disabilities, and offer accessible education for all ages and abilities.”

This year’s event features a pig roast overseen by Rob Levitt, head chef of One Off Hospitality’s Publican Quality Meats. A renowned butcher who portrays himself on FX’s The Bear, Chef Levitt is celebrated for his snout to tail approach and commitment to local sourcing, values that align seamlessly with Elawa’s mission. New this year, VIP ticket holders can enjoy an exclusive culinary experience with Chef Levitt, featuring a live demonstration and a tasting of premium whiskeys from Maker’s Mark.

“We are huge fans of Chef Levitt,” Calvert says. “His background in butchery ties nicely to the history at Elawa Farm, which was originally developed in 1917 for members of the Armour family, who operated one of the largest meat packing companies at the turn of the 20th century. He truly walks the walk as a farm-to-table chef—with whole animal butchery, local sourcing, and care for local farmers.”

For Levitt, that alignment is personal.

“There’s a responsibility that comes with working this closely with farmers,” Levitt says. “You want to honor the whole animal, respect the work that went into raising it, and make sure people feel connected to what they’re eating.”

That ethos will carry throughout the evening—from the sourcing of the meal to the setting itself. For Calvert, there is one moment that captures it best.

“The event takes place on our west lawn, which overlooks the Middlefork Savanna and the setting sun,” she says. “It’s incredible to watch the sun go down after a shared meal. You really can’t find this type of experience anywhere else.”

For first-time guests, Calvert hopes the evening offers something lasting.

“We want them to feel the magic of Elawa,” she says. “And to understand that within this beautiful landscape, there is so much impact happening with our programs. When you attend our events, shop at our market, or get a cup of coffee at the café, you are helping to feed people, provide jobs, and expand our education programs.”

Even the smallest details reflect that sense of purpose. Levitt, often working with quiet focus, wears a beaded bracelet his daughter made for him—crafted in the colors of Publican Quality Meats, complete with a small glass pig [a nod to Publican’s logo] and the letters “BFF.” It’s a simple, personal reminder of why the work matters.

On a night that celebrates the height of summer, that feeling will stay with you long after the sun sets.