MARCH 26, 2009 ISSUE
Blue Ridge Wine and Food Festival April 16 to 19
Grand Tasting Moved to Downtown Blowing Rock
A crowd eagerly awaits the Grand Tasting at the 2008 Blue Ridge Wine and Food Festival in Blowing Rock. The event, previously held at Chetola Resort, will move to downtown Blowing Rock this year. Photo courtesy of Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce
In the most significant change since the Blue Ridge Wine and Food Festival’s first year, the Grand Tasting, the festival’s centerpiece event, will now take place in downtown Blowing Rock. The Grand Tasting will take place at the Maple Street Parking area, just off of Main Street, on Saturday, April 18, from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m.
The festival, produced by the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce and organized by a committee, has worked closely with the town in order to make the move happen.
“This will result in more visitors to the Wine Festival spending more time in our shops and restaurants in the central business district,” said Rita Davis, chair of the Wine Festival Committee. “That is really the most important thing, the support of our local merchants.”
When the Blue Ridge Wine and Food Festival was first conceived more than five years ago, it sought to create business during what is traditionally a slow time of the year for Blowing Rock’s tourism-based economy. “This move fulfills the goal of that purpose,” said Charles Hardin, executive director of the Chamber of Commerce. “Visitors to the Festival will be exposed to our downtown in a way that they haven’t been in previous years.”
The Blue Ridge Wine and Food Festival, taking place this year Thursday through Sunday, April 16 to 19, prominently features North Carolina wines. Many North Carolina Wineries will be on hand to pour their wines for festival attendees. Additionally, wines from North Carolina can be purchased in the Grand Tasting tent.
“Supporting our North Carolina wine industry is just another level of the event,” Hardin said. “We want to feature the fine products we have right here in North Carolina and introduce them to the visitors in Blowing Rock.”
In addition to the Grand Tasting on Saturday, the festival features an “Uncork the Festival” kickoff event on Thursday, cooking demonstrations, wine seminars, winemakers’ dinners and a VIP charity wine gala on Friday, the Fire on the Rock Chef’s Challenge on Saturday and Sunday and a champagne brunch on Sunday. Additionally, the festival will feature a late night pastry party on Friday with Bravo’s Top Chef finalist Carla Hall Lyons at Crippen’s Country Inn & Restaurant. Call 877-295-3487 for more information.
For more information about the Blue Ridge Wine and Food Festival, contact the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce at 828-295-7851 or click to www.blueridgewinefestival.com.
Want To Go?
Date: Thursday through Sunday, April 16 to 19
Time: Varies by day
Location: Blowing Rock restaurants, shops and other locations
Cost: Varies by event
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