LAKEPORT>> The Lake County Winefest returned for another year, held at Library Park on Saturday. The all day event featured a wide range of vendors from arts and crafts to food and pastries. Lake County offered different types of wine and beer, courtesy of locals. Everyone was there for one purpose, to support the Lake County Symphony.
The Lake County Winefest is held annually in the first week of June.
Lake County Wine Club members like Chris Welch, Debra Fredrickson, and David Velasquez, said the Winefest started 23 years ago. The event’s founder, the late Conn Murray, was inspired by wine tours in Europe as a means of fundraising for the local symphony. Winefest started in Downtown Kelseyville and has since moved to Lakeport according to long time participant Mike Buttitta.
Lake County Winefest has clear and concise rules. None of the participating vendors can sell wine, champagne, beer, or any kind of alcohol. Instead, attendees were free to sample the vendors’ brews after paying an admission fee and getting a wristband to mark them.
Richard Setencich, a first-time vendor of Winefest, had a two-sided booth, one for wine, one for glassworks. “I feel that it’s pretty well organized. (…) I was very quickly I was able to get into my spot, knew what my responsibilities were for the event (…) I knew what to look for; a wristband.”
Attendees at Winefest spent their money on food, art pieces, or taking part in the silent auction or wine barrel raffles. The day’s focus otherwise, was on the live music provided by the symphony.
The Lake County Symphony’s main fundraiser has remained Winefest and every single vendor recognized the importance of the orchestra. The shared sentiment was on what the symphony provided, a cultural footprint. Jerry Martinez, Sandra Hermosill, Mimi Whittaker, first-timer Tiffany Abellera, and Mike Shoemaker all agreed the music alone brings the community together and was something fantastic to experience.
“We have a regional symphony, we bring in musicians from the area and considering the size of the county, it’s probably one of the best regional symphonies in California,” David Velasquez proudly stated.
Different vendors at the event like Mick Buttitta and Pamela Maidrand, said the true prize of the Lake County Symphony was the Adult and Youth Concert Orchestra (AAYCO). The joint age symphony provides both young and mature talent. People who are experienced can stand alongside young musicians. For children, they’re able to find something new and discover a talent of their own.
“The heart and soul of this country are small communities that are tight communities that support the arts, that value the arts and education, and I’m thrilled to be part of a community like this and make it my forever home,” a passionate Melanie Smith expressed, joyfully sharing her love for Lake County.
Ultimately, the shared view of this year’s Winefest is that it has been a rousing success. Attendance has been high, first year vendors are willing to return for next year. Veterans of the event all are optimistic regarding fundraising and further success.
