Threat of storms can't drown out wine fest fun

Cloudy skies threatened a wash out but that did not deter wine lovers from coming to enjoy the 21st annual Yadkin Valley Wine Festival. Yadkin Valley Chamber President David Steelman said an estimated 3,000 guests attended Saturday’s festival at Elkin Municipal Park.

“Considering the weather forecast all week long, which wasn’t good, we’re just really surprised and amazed we’ve got this many people,” Steelman said Saturday. As of mid-day the rain and storms had held off and folks were busy perusing the food and vendor booths, and of course, sampling wines from area vineyards.

Steelman praised the work of Chamber staff member Quinn Wilkes in preparing for this year’s event. He also noted the numerous volunteers that help each year with the festival.

Steelman said guests were from all across the southeast including South Carolina, Virginia, even Florida.

Festival volunteer Levi Shore said he had welcomed a couple here from Delaware, in town for the All-Star Race in neighboring Wilkes County, and decided to come out to the wine festival as well.

There were first-time visitors and numerous returning guests, Steelman said. He said last year’s festival had been rated as the fifth best wine festival in America. The band Kids in America which performed last year and again this year, was a big part of the event’s success.

“They are so good, with a variety of music,” Steelman said.

Chairman of the Wine Festival Committee, Mike Bovender, said, “I’m glad that we got to be here.”

“I’m happy with the turnout. This has been one of my favorites,” he said.

The festival is a popular event for locals each year.

Elkin area resident Jennifer Lewis said, “what I love is being with friends every year, hearing good music and experiencing new wines from places I have not yet visited.”

One of the vendors new to this year’s festival was Williamson Mead and Brewing of Glade Valley, just south of Sparta.

Gina Scatena said they offered meads and ciders and had been open for about six months. A four-berry blend called Floki’s Laughter was among the popular drinks of the day at the Williamson booth, she said.