Jeremy Walsh — staff reporter
LAKEPORT — Hundreds of people sampled county foods and wines, visited city shops and danced into the night Friday during the 16th annual Taste of Lakeport.
“It”s always such a wonderful, fun event. We”re really glad that we can do it for the community, and for the businesses, the restaurants and the wineries ? it”s great to be able to showcase them downtown,” Lakeport Main Street Association (LMSA) executive director Carol Hays said.
About 725 people attended this year”s event, which featured 21 tasting stations along North Main Street between First and Fourth streets.
“People that came into the shop seemed very happy and we had great appetizers and great wine,” Watershed Books owner Cheri Holden said. “It looked like everybody was having a great time.”
Watershed Books hosted Rosa d”Oro Vineyards and Bellissimo catering.
The wines were poured outside the city businesses, rather than inside, because of a new state rule, Hays said. The attendance Friday represented a slight increase compared to last year, she added.
“What stood out?to me the most?is that we have such a great community of?friends. If you didn”t know the person standing next to you, they were happy to meet you. That really makes for a great?city,” Lakeport Mayor Stacey Mattina said.
Taste of Lakeport is the largest fundraiser for the LMSA and helps pay for activities such as flower baskets downtown, shopping guides and walking-tour brochures, Hays said.
The Hip Replacements and Polecat Rodeo provided live music during tasting hours. The Jimmy Z Band played during the nighttime street dance.
Jeremy Walsh is a staff reporter for Lake County Publishing. Reach him at 263-5636, ext. 37 or jwalsh@record-bee.com. Follow him on Twitter, @JeremyDWalsh.
