Groundhog Wine Festival
There are many reasons to come to the Backwoods, Backroads, Backwaters for a winter getaway. The 3rd Annual Groundhog Wine Festival is one of the top reasons.
Third Annual Groundhog Wine Festival
There are many reasons to come to the Backwoods, Backroads, Backwaters for a winter getaway. The 3rd Annual Groundhog Wine Festival is one of the top reasons. On Saturday, February 6th at the Expo I building of the Clearfield County Fair Grounds, you can enjoy Central Pennsylvania’s Premier Wine Tasting Event. For your convenience you can choose from two different sessions; the first is from 1-4 pm and the Second is from 5-8:30 pm.
“This is the only time all of the GHWT Wineries are together at one location showcasing their Award Winning Wines,” Says Kenn Starr, Starr Hill Vineyards and Winery. The nine wineries of the Groundhog trail are: Allegheny Cellars Winery, Evergreen Valley Vineyards, Flickerwood Wine Cellars, Foxburg Wine Cellars, Laurel Mountain Winery, Oak Spring Winery, Starr Hill Vineyard & Winery, Windgate Vineyards & Winery, and the Winery at Wilcox ; each has its own trademark of fine wines. Be sure to try them all.
The Groundhog Wine Festival will also feature vendors from several local food & art businesses. The contributing vendors are: Soukup Photography, Nuttin But Nuts, Haole Boy Salsa, Linda Pontzer, Moosees’s Seasonings, Penn Cheese , Halfmoon Pottery by Jason Bloom, Winkler Gallery, Carriage House Creations, Beach Glass Baubles, Bonfatto Wing Sauce, Pete’s Pepperoni, and Cookie Lea Fashion. All vendors will have products to sample and purchase during the event.
Outside of sampling from the many vendors, the 14th Street Jazz Band will play familiar tunes for everyone to enjoy. If you have to miss the groundhog‘s weather prediction, this year’s special guests are Punxsutawney Phil and Ben Hughes, his handler and member of the infamous “Inner Circle”.
What makes this event different from most wine festivals is the fact that a portion of the proceeds from the event go to a different charity each year. The first year the profits were donated to the American Heart Association, the second year the Curwensville Rotary Club and the funds donated this year will go towards the children’s Christmas Fund through the Clearfield ELKS Club.
Planning for the Wine Festival starts the month after the event and continues for about a 10- month span with all members of the Groundhog Wine Trail giving input towards the success of the next event. The owners of Starr Hill Vineyards & Winery take the lead with coordination, advertising, entertainment, ticket sales and bus tours. The attendance nearly doubled in the first two years and bigger numbers are expected for 2010.
The cost to attend this event is $15 for advanced tickets and $20 at the door. Tickets can be purchased at participating wineries, by calling 814-236-0910 or emailing info(at)groundhogwinetrail.com. Click here to learn more about accommodations. For dining while in the area click here. For more information about the Backwoods, Backroads, Backwaters email: ccrta(at)clearfieldcounty.org or call 1-866-GO WILDS.
