Inaugural Festival Celebrates North Carolina Wines, Regional Food, and Music
Wilmington, N.C.: As the official North Carolina toast goes: “Here’s to the land of the long-leaf pine-the summer land where the sun doth shine. Where the weak grow strong and the strong grow great; here’s to ‘Down Home,’ the Old North State…” On Saturday, May 24th, visitors to the coast will raise their glasses to celebrate North Carolina wines, food, and music during the first annual Toast to the Coast Wine Festival in Wilmington, N.C. The towering pine trees at Hugh MacRae Park will provide an ideal backdrop for this inaugural event.
Beginning at 12:00 noon, North Carolina wines will take center stage at Toast to the Coast Wine Festival, an event presented by the N.C. Wine & Grape Council. Festival-goers will experience the diverse styles of more than 18 wineries, from the North Carolina mountains to the coast: Allison Oaks Vineyards, Bannerman Vineyards, Biltmore Estate, Chatham Hill Winery, Country Squire Winery , Cypress Bend Vineyards, Dennis Vineyards, Duplin Winery, Ginger Creek Vineyards, LuMil Vineyard, Lumina Winery, J Wesley Vineyards, Moonrise Bay Vineyard, Noni Bacca Winery, Shelton Vineyards, Silver Coast Winery , Stony Mountain Vineyards, and Uwharrie Vineyards.
Bring a lawn chair and enjoy an afternoon of wine, food, and music. To complement the featured wines, local restaurants will serve menu items especially selected for the event. Live music by the Sea Pans (11:00 a.m.), the Cosmic Groove Lizards (1:30 p.m.) and Jim Quick & Coastline (4:00 p.m.) will entertain. A silent auction will benefit the Cape Fear Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation. There will also be a Vegas-style live game show.
Visitors can also explore Hugh MacRae Park’s nature and walking trails, gardens, and play areas. Hours for the 1st Annual Toast to the Coast Wine Festival (Saturday, May 24) are 12:00 noon until 6:00 p.m. Pre-order tickets ($22 adults / children $5 each) are available online at www.toasttothecoastnc.com A limited number of general admission tickets will be available at the gate ($28 adults / children $8 each). VIP tickets are also available for $45 each, which includes an 11:00 a.m. early admission, free souvenir glass, and lunch under the VIP event.
For more festival information, visit www.toasttothecoastnc.com For a free Visitors Guide to Wilmington & NC’s Cape Fear Coast, call 1-866-266-9690, or for a complete Calendar of Events, please visit www.gocapefearcoast.com
May 13, 2008
Posted in: United States East