By Darlene Brace
Every year, Merritt Estate Winery welcomes locals and visitors alike to their amazing Septemberfest weekend in early September, celebrating the beautiful change of seasons. This year, the 43rd annual Septemberfest will be on Saturday, September 6 from noon-10pm and Sunday, September 7 from noon-6:30pm, rain or shine. Located at 2264 King Road in Forestville, this festival features fun activities for the entire family, all with free admission and free parking.
One of the main highlights of this festival is the incredible live music lineup that promises to be entertaining for everyone. On Saturday, they will kick off the festivities with the amazing country music band, Barnstorm, playing from noon-3pm. This band is sure to get the party started. Then from 3:30-6:30pm, the talented Black Widow will take the stage, playing their classic rock and pop covers. They never fail to put on an electrifying show that gets everyone dancing. As the sun sets, get ready to have some fun with Nerds Gone Wild, performing from 7:30-10pm. They play a fun mix of 80’s and 90’s tunes that are sure to get you moving and grooving. Don’t forget to don your best nerd attire, as the best outfit will win a fabulous $100 gift certificate to Merritt Winery!
On Sunday, the live music continues with premier party band Knight Crew that will get things rocking from noon-3pm. They play a mix of older favorites from the 70s to hot hits of today, so there’s sure to be something for everyone to enjoy. To close out the live music, Rockabilly Steve and BR3 will play some blues and rock from 3:30-6:30pm. It’s a weekend full of great live music that you don’t want to miss.
While enjoying Septemberfest, you should check out the winery’s tasting room full of award-winning wines. It’s a fun opportunity to sample different wines, ranging from sweet to dry, based on your preferences. You can purchase any of the available wines by the glass or bottle. In addition to white and red wines, they offer some specialty wines, and their wine slushes have become a favorite among many customers. A selection of draft beer, non-alcoholic beverages, and snacks are also available.
In addition to enjoying the music and the delicious wine, over thirty local artisan craft and boutique vendors will be present throughout the festival. Take your time to browse the various items they have to offer. Some vendors will be selling crafts, home décor, homemade soaps, jewelry, and candles, while others will feature gourmet popcorn and other delicious treats. There will be a lot to explore, and you surely will find some amazing items for yourself or for gifts for someone special.
Your kids will have some fun at Septemberfest too, as there will be some fun activities for them. This includes a bounce house and a talented balloon artist who will create fun designs for them. This location features a spacious area away from the street, so your little ones have plenty of room to safely run around, play, and dance to the music.
When your group has worked up an appetite, enjoy Chiavetta’s chicken dinner or a chicken Caesar wrap along with some macaroni salad and some other side dishes. There will also be hamburgers, hotdogs, French fries, and much more. Save room for some scrumptious apple crisp for dessert. You can find seating in the large pavilion and patio to sit down at a table and enjoy your meal.
There is plenty of free parking at the festival, but donations are encouraged as the winery always donates the parking donations to a worthy cause. This year Merritt has chosen to contribute these donations to a non-profit organization called Chautauqua Habitat for Humanity that features volunteers who help with building affordable housing for families in need.
Merritt Winery is open year-round, with more fun events throughout the year. The tasting room is available daily from 10am-6 pm (Mon-Sat) and 12 pm-6 pm (Sun). Don’t miss this year’s Septemberfest on September 6th and 7th, featuring great live music, delicious food and drinks, and fun activities. For updates, visit merrittestatewinery.com or check their Facebook page and on Instagram.