LAKEPORT — Grandparents walked down Main Street Friday with their almost 2-year-old granddaughter in a stroller and their dog Cleo on a leash to experience Taste of Lakeport.
Patti Kalis said she thinks the event with Lake County wine pourings and bites of food from local restaurants in downtown Lakeport is beautiful.
“It”s so casual,” she said. “It just feels good.”
Her husband, Bob, said they”ve been coming to the event for four years as he pushed his granddaughter Kalissa Goodwin.
Barbara Breunig, president of the Lakeport Main Street Association, said the event put on by the association and Lake Event Design aimed to sell 1,000 glasses.
“People look really happy,” Breunig said. “The bands are good.”
“I”m taking a few minutes to enjoy the food, wine and ambiance,” Breunig said.
The Lakeport Main Street Association will use the money raised during the event to maintain the lighting downtown and the flowers that hang from the lampposts. Breunig said the association would consider helping to install more lighting along with the Downtown Improvement Project planned by the city.
Leslie Firth, owner of the Kitchen Gallery, said though she doesn”t have a lot of sales during the event, it”s good advertising.
“It”s a big night for exposure,” Firth said. “I have people coming back saying, ?I saw you at Taste of Lakeport.””
Firth said she came in early Friday to mop the floor before opening and setting up for the event but there were people waiting outside to buy tickets.
“I didn”t pick up my mop until 11:30,” she said.
Shari James, owner of Shari”s Secret Garden, said she loves Taste of Lakeport.
“It”s a fabulous event,” she said. “It gets better every year.”
Jeff Havrilla won a wine barrel ice chest the Lakeport Main Street Association raffled off with wine included.
Wineries that poured tastes of their local wines included Ceago Vinegarden, Cleavage Creek Winery, Bullion Creek, Kendall Jackson, Tulip Hill Winery, Morgan Valley Winery, Moore Family Winery, Shannon Ridge Winery, Robledo Family Winery, Wildhurst Vineyards, Mt. Konocti Growers, Villa La Brenta, Steele Wines, Bell Hill Vineyard, Rosa D”Oro Vineyards, Rosa D”Oro Vineyards, Gregory Graham Winery, Big Valley Wine Co., Robinson Lake Vineyard, Lady of the Lake Champagne, Kelly Family?Vineyards and Lost Coast Brewery, which poured beer.
Restaurants and businesses that offered hors d”oeuvres included Lakeport English Inn, Nature”s Food Center, Fast Franks Dogs, Judy”s Junction and Cali”s Catering, Angelina”s, Konocti Vista Casino and Vista Steakhouse, TNT”s on the Lake, Molly Brennan”s, TJ”s Downtown, Chef Nicholas Catering, La Crepe Escape, Lake Event Design, Zino”s, Brunos Shop Smart, Lyndall”s Sports Stop Grill, Biggs 155 Diner, Hidden Valley Lake Association, The LAVA Center, Radio KPFZ, Main Street Pizza, Tom Lincoln and Lincoln Leavitt Insurance, Howling Dog Caf?, Twin Pine Casino and Manzanita Restaurant.
Sponsors of the event included Savings Bank of Mendocino County, Raymond James Financial Services, North Lake Pharmacy, Lake County Record-Bee, Bi Coastal Media, Hillside Honda, Coldwell Banker Towne and Country Realty, Pieces Boutique, Lake County Chamber of Commerce, The Travel Center, De Leon Engineering, Lake Wind Skin Care, Peggy Campbell CPA, Airport Auto Brokers, Lincoln Leavitt, Lake Parts and Golden Pear Wellness Spa.
Contact Katy Sweeny at kdsweeny@gmail.com or call her directly at 263-5636, ext. 37.
