OCEAN CITY – The 2nd Annual Wine in the Park, taking place next weekend, June 13-15 in Ocean City, is looking to bring a larger crowd of wine enthusiasts to north Ocean City over the three-day event.
“We are hoping for a much larger crowd this year as we have most of the wrinkles ironed out,” Cristina Nokes of the Wine in the Park said.
Wine in the Park will take place June 13-15 from noon-8 p.m. at Northside Park on 125th Street and the bay.
New this year, Wine in the Park will take place in conjunction with the 14th Annual Art’s Alive, a fine art show featuring hundreds of artists selling their best work, along with lunch being offered at Artists’ Café, live music, free children’s activities, and now wine sampling.
Wine in the Park will feature Maryland vineyards of Dove Valley Winery, Knob Hall Winery, Legends Vineyard and The Winery at Olney. Delaware vineyards of Fenwick Cellars and Harvest Ridge and West Virginia vineyards of Forks of Cheat Winery and West Whitehill will all be providing samples of their wines.
The micro brews of Abita Purple Haze, Fat Tire, 3rd Wave IPA and Big Wave will be on the scene with the brews available for purchase. Additionally, Delmarva cuisine and many arts and crafts vendors will be set up, including BJ’s Cloth Wine Holders, PJ Creations, 100 Oak Barrels, Save The Coconuts, Cooler Gadgets, Pretzelphoria, Thirtyone Gifts, The Sunglass Co., Christopher Mize Studio, American Collectibles, Critters on Parade, Tin Lizzy Mobile Boutique, Better Living of Delmarva sunrooms and event T-shirts.
Live entertainment will start on Friday at 1 p.m. with local musicians performing and Bird Dog and the Road Kings taking stage at 4:30 p.m. On Saturday, Pat O’Brennan will perform starting at 1 p.m. followed by entertainment of local musicians until close, and on Sunday Pat O’Brennan will take the stage once again at 1 p.m. followed by Three Penny Opera starting at 4:30 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center or online at the events website, www.winefest.com, for $22. Tickets can also be purchased on the day of the events at the gate for $25. Tickets will come along with a souvenir wine glass and complimentary beverages.
For additional information, call 410-280-3306 or visit the website.
Wine in the Park originated as a grassroots effort to have a wine festival take place in both Ocean City. The event is organized by the same promoter, Jerry Hardesty, of the famous Winefest on the Beach that has been held in the Inlet Parking Lot in September for the past 19 years.
A couple of years ago, Hardesty was approached by the North Ocean City Business Alliance (NOCBA) to organize a second wine festival in Ocean City. At that time, NOCBA was brainstorming ways to draw crowds to the northern section of town to share in the economic benefits that come with events being held in the area.
Senator Jim Mathias joined the effort by submitting legislation in Annapolis allowing Worcester County to hold three festivals per year selling alcohol to go. Prior there was only one festival allowed and it was dedicated to the annual Winefest on the Beach at the Inlet.
Senate Bill 1075 authorized the Worcester County Board of License Commissioners to issue not more than three special alcohol festival licenses each year. The bill passed through the Senate in a 46-0 vote, as well as the House in a 138-0 vote.
In contrast to Wine on the Beach that has the ocean in the background; Wine in the Park is set up directly on the bay with a picturesque sunset over the water to conclude each day of the event.
“It is a fun event on the bay. Come out and taste some wines,” Nokes said.