Wine festival will be Sept. 16 in Avinger

Avinger's fifth annual Wine Festival will take place downtown from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 16. 

The festival is a product of the CRESS Community Foundation. CRESS is an acronym for the originating founders who realized a need to raise money for student scholarships, school supplies and community resources. These founders were Elaine Moulton, Ronnie Politi, Sue Maxinoski and Shelby Trimble.

"We knew coming up with a significant fundraiser in Avinger, a small rural city of under 500 in population, would be a challenge," said CRESS member Ronnie Politi. "Knowing how popular wine festivals were in Texas and the number of visitors they brought in from surrounding areas, we did our research and got ready to work harder than we could have imagined."

The first year's festival in 2012 turned out to be a major success.

"It was huge," Moulton said. "We filled a niche with scheduling in September and drew a crowd with over 1,500 people in little Avinger.

"Subsequent years proved to be a success as well, although we found ourselves searching for a new location after the second year. We were blessed with generous friends who allowed us to use their beautiful properties in order to continue."

Food, music and art play a large part in the success of the festival by making it an all-encompassing day for attendees.

"Because we are able to offer artisan vendors, local entertainment and delicious foods, we appeal to more people," Maxinoski said. "Visitors attend to shop, eat, visit and enjoy the laid back mood of the day. With music playing throughout the day and seating available, this mood is contagious."

The Avinger Wine Festival is essentially a free festival. Entry into the gated Wine Garden is $5 for people 21 and older. With that paid entry, you receive a six-bottle wine tote and a stemless wine glass. Hourly door prizes are awarded by vendors within the wine garden.

"We have many new vendors signed up this year as well as some of our favorite return vendors. Plan on spending the day with us on the third Saturday of September each year," Trimble said.

The event may be checked out at its website,
avingerwinefestival.com.

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