LAKEPORT
Wine and Beer Makers’ Festival Saturday supports Lake County Symphony
The 2024 Lake County Home Wine and Beer Makers’ Festival comes to Lakeport’s Library Park this year on Saturday, June 8, from noon to 5 p.m. This family-friendly event has been going on for 22 years and is the largest fundraiser for the Lake County Symphony Association, which supports the Lake County Symphony, Community & Youth Orchestra, in-school music programs, and Allegro scholarship programs.
All home winemakers and brewers are eligible for the gold, silver and bronze ribbons awarded for a range of varietals and brews. All amateur participants will have a chance to win the popular “Peoples’ Choice” awards voted on by attendees, with results announced during the festival. As usual, tasters will also have a chance to sample wines from several Lake County commercial wineries, including Smiling Dogs, Rosa D’Oro, R Vineyards, Six Sigma and Brassfield Estate. The Mount Konocti Mashers are bringing their beer selections this year, with a variety of special brews to try.
Don’t drink wine or beer? You can skip the entry fee and spend time looking- and buying- original arts and crafts, clothing, and agricultural products. Non-tasters can support the symphony by purchasing “barrel of wine” raffle tickets or by participating in the popular silent auction, which features a variety of unique items donated by local businesses, along with original creations donated by artists. Congressman Mike Thompson is again donating products from his Lake County vineyard along with a nicely boxed U.S. flag flown at the Capitol.
Everyone should stay well-nourished with a variety of tasty selections from Danae’s Desserts, Wholly Bowls & Rolls, La Catrina Mexican Food Truck, and Island Soul’s Caribbean specialties. Musical entertainment will be provided by Twining Time, a popular duo from Willits. Listen to Anita Blu on keyboard and John Wagenet on guitar playing their favorite R&B and folk tunes along with some of their originals.
Advance tickets are $30 and are available locally at Watershed Books, Wine in the Willows, Lake County Chamber of Commerce, and Fore Family Vineyards. Tickets are also available online at Eventbrite. For the latest Winefest information go to https://lakecountywinefest.com. (Home winemakers, brewers and participating vendors can find registration forms and deadline dates at the same website.) Visit Lake County Winefest on Facebook for more information.
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LAKE COUNTY
Tales from Cowtown: A Puppet Show
This June 21 and 22, Tales from Cowtown invites audiences of all ages across Lake County to witness a unique blend of puppetry, music, clowning, and storytelling. Created by a large crew of creative collaborators, and performed by a group of four traveling puppeteers from Humboldt County, this family friendly show delves into themes of rural resilience and emotional intelligence in the face of climate challenges.
There will be three free performances in Lake County:
-Friday June 21 – Middletown Farmers Market – 7pm show
-Saturday June 22 – Lucerne Harbor Park – 11am show
-Saturday June 22 – Lakeport Library Park – 6pm show
Tales from Cowtown takes viewers on a whimsical exploration of rural life, weaving together art forms to create a captivating outdoor theatrical experience. Expect to meet many types of puppets: from delicate marionettes to larger than life animal costumes. Supported by the California Arts Council through the Upstate Creative Corps program, the performance builds on environmental philosophy concepts, emphasizing love for the earth and fostering social and emotional literacy.
Central to the show’s ethos is the belief that connecting with nature is essential for well-being. Through engaging narratives and puppetry, audiences are invited to reimagine their relationship with the environment and explore concepts of adaptation and resilience.
Designed for outdoor venues, the shows are free to all, with performances taking place in public parks, farmers markets, and cultural hubs. By using natural materials and low-tech staging, the performance embodies the spirit of self-sufficiency and adaptability. Tales from Cowtown is more than just a puppet show—it’s a celebration of creativity, resilience, and the enduring bond between humans and nature.
Join us on this journey by visiting https://www.greetingsfromcowtown.com/ or following The Cowtown Serenaders @thecowtownserenaders on Facebook or Instagram.
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