LAKEPORT — The Taste of Lakeport was in full swing by 5:00 p.m. Friday, with seven blocks of Main Street blocked off to traffic as 18 businesses opened their doors for extended hours as an estimated 600 customers were given custom glasses and lined up to taste local wine paired with local restaurant fare.
New this year was a “parade” of seaplanes down Main Street, one plane parked per block. Still going strong this year was the tradition of hosting a band, with San Francisco Band Jimi-Z rocking the stage as people danced near Museum Park.
“We”re really excited, it gets bigger each year. For the first time this year we”re having a wine bar at 8:00 p.m. with street dances to benefit the Merchant”s association, all the wineries donated wine to be poured at the bar,” said Tulip Hill Winery COO Loretta Byrne.
“The event is bigger than ever this year,” said Rick Gunier, manager of Shannon Ridge Winery, who said they had two people pouring wines at the event. “I know 16 of the 20 wineries in the county are participating, so that”s huge. It”s a fun event, we always have fun at Taste of Lakeport,” said Gunier.
The proceeds from “Taste” are used by the Main Street Business Association to benefit the improvement of the downtown corridor. Melissa Fulton, Executive Director of the Lakeport Chamber of Commerce said in the past profits have helped pay for numerous improvements.
“We put in the new trash cans, worked on the historic street lamps, and the flower baskets were entirely paid for by the Main Street Association ? the street lamps are funded by donations from people who dedicate a lamp in memory of a loved one,” said Fulton.
The funds raised Friday will help with new beautification projects, as well as provide for the upkeep of projects such as the hanging flower baskets, living and breathing vibrant blooms that sway from the historic street lamps.
One out-of-towner from Sonoma, Tammy Rosenfeld, who was there with her husband, said, “I can”t believe these are real!” as she reached up to touch a bright pink petunia blossom. “I”m so glad to support this event, I had no idea the profits go to a good cause. This is such a cute town,” she added.
Fulton said it will not be known how much money will profit the Association”s efforts for at least one week, as billing and payments for the band and some of the wine that was paid for has to be worked out as ticket sales are tallied. “The only thing we”ll know tonight is how much we made off of pre-sale tickets,” said Fulton.
Fulton said that the wine offered during the occasion is a combination of donated wine and wine that the Association paid for.
In addition to the 18 businesses that opened their doors, each retail business hosted both a restaurant and a winery, allowing patrons to literally get a taste of what culinary and business gems exist in the community.
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