By, Darlene Mae Nowell O’Connor
WHAT’S THE BUZZ? Happy Days are Here Again ~ Cheers to the Southern Tier with Friends!
Wheat, Barley & Hop’s make a Brew with Foam Top’s and the Alleghany Vines bring sweet Grapes for Fine Wine. While the Bees find it funny that we make Mead from Honey, Apples hang low on trees to make Cider with a squeeze! Beginning, August 4, come and discover much more in Dunkirk New York, joining us for: The 16th Annual America’s Grape Country Craft Beverage Festival! Enjoy WINE! BEER! SPIRITS! At the Chautauqua County Fairgrounds, August 4th ~ 6th, 2016.
WHAT’S THE BUZZ? Happy Days are Here Again ~ Cheers to the Southern Tier with Friends!
Wheat, Barley & Hop’s make a Brew with Foam Top’s and the Alleghany Vines bring sweet Grapes for Fine Wine. While the Bees find it funny that we make Mead from Honey, Apples hang low on trees to make Cider with a squeeze! Beginning, August 4, come and discover much more in Dunkirk New York, joining us for: The 16th Annual America’s Grape Country Craft Beverage Festival! Enjoy WINE! BEER! SPIRITS! At the Chautauqua County Fairgrounds, August 4th ~ 6th, 2023.
It was my pleasure to meet with two lovely ladies working behind the scenes to bring us details of what we have to look forward to during this incredible upcoming event;
Errika Gonzalez, Director of Marketing and Jade Wells, Graphic Designer, have been diligent in their efforts to reveal how much this event has grown and all that is new to it. It isn’t just about grapes anymore and this is not your average festival.
Sixteen years ago, Mr. William Merritt was intent on educating people throughout the Alleghany region about the wine industry and the expanding role this rich and fertile farm area could have in it. Thus, was born the Grape Country Wine Festival. The response then was amazing, but even more outstanding has been the growth within the industry and the increase in, not just Vineyards, but Orchards, Bee Farms and Honey Production. Not to mention the huge popularity of the Micro-Brewery’s and installation of locally owned and operated large scale Breweries and Distilleries. Taking this into consideration the festival committee has expanded the Festival itself and with a Rebrand, successfully widening the scope of vendor’s, entertainers, artists and artisans lining up to bring us the best of what they’ve got in food, art, cuisine demonstrations and of course music. There is even a car show scheduled with six available awards to be won and a ticket discount for drivers. This event happens on Saturday starting at 12pm – 5pm and will feature Brad Blizzard as M. C. and a rain date is set for Sunday.
What could be better than a fantastic choice of spirits to sample from? What words are adequate to describe the veritable vastness of vineyards from the Pennsylvania and New York State Wine Region that will be available to try? Apple Cider is hardly new, but a commodity of so many varieties is news to me and I am most hopeful that making tasty Mead from Honey will encourage others to help save the Bee’s. I will do my best to experiment and encourage everyone during the festivities. The possibilities are endless and so is the fun being planned. Kicking off the weekend will be an homage to the Son of a Son of a Sailor, with the Jimmy Buffet cover band, “PIRATE DREAMS”, performing Friday from 6-10pm. Fare from the best food trucks in the area, as well as, beer and wine will be available for purchase during this time.
Saturday starting at 12pm the tasting will begin. Time to use the contents of your complimentary Swag Bags and taste your way through the fairgrounds. Because the Committee wants everyone to be safe and have fun, discounted Designated Driver tickets are available, but you get your Swag Bag when you exit the Festival Grounds. The Food Vendors will be cranking out fare of different flares and Saturday night the party rolls on with an afterhours performance from 6-10pm by “That 80’s Hair Band”.
{I think they planned this Swell Soiree with me in mind} Beverages available for purchase after 6pm.
Sunday kicks off the last day of festivities as fierce female vocalist Lana Hergert & “BLACK WIDOW”, take the stage from 1-5pm. You won’t want to miss the opportunity to ‘Kick It’ with this group of outstanding and much sought after group of musicians.
As the bands play on, the festival has many activities to participate in. Chef Krista Van Wagner and wine expert Donna Schlosser-Long will be holding audience participation demonstrations. Guest can enjoy chainsaw wood carving by Doug Ryan. For your visiting and tasting pleasure there will be among the participants; 18 Wineries, 13 Distilleries, 1 Cidery, 3 Meaderies, 6 Food Trucks and 17 Artisans and Crafters. For Complete Ticketing and Entertainment Information please check out the event out on Facebook @ Americas Grape Country Craft Beverage Festival or visit agcfestival.com
Thank you again to Errika, Jade and Bill. I am looking forward to this Extravaganza and to seeing all of you there!