By every measure, Avinger's fifth annual Wine Festival was a success.
"I think this was our best one," summarized Elaine Moulton of the event Sept. 16.
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"This is from the comments of customers, vendors and even wineries who told us that," she added.
Avinger's fall festival was sponsored by the CRESS Community Foundation, a not-for-profit fundraising foundation dedicated to the growth and well-being of the community. "CRESS" is an acronym for the originating founders.
"We had 12 winemakers attend, and they told us afterward ours is their most favorite festival, that we did so much to make them feel welcome such as having volunteers helping them to set up and with a hospitality house close by for their convenience and refreshment," Moulton said.
Forty vendors were also present. Based on the quality of vendors, music and apparent enjoyment of the day, Moulton said she felt the festival exceeded expectations.
"I also think we may have broken the ceiling in terms of the amount of money we made for support, but we haven't completely determined that yet."
Moulton said the festival had really taken the energy of organizers and volunteers.
"Today Sunday I am an aching all over. We really worked for three days to set up the site and then we were out there at 9 a.m. today still cleaning up," she said.
The festival's wine garden was the front yard of the distinguished Boyce and Pam Downs home in Avinger. The property on which the vendors set up belongs to the McCain family.
"We were pleased to hear so many tell us they would come back no matter what because we were helping the community," Moulton said.