Rain or shine, the Central Social District in Van Alstyne will be filled with wine lovers and aficionados and others as the city hosts its third annual Wine Festival this weekend. While wine, alcohol and beer tasting tickets will only be available to those over the age of 21, on-site vendors, food trucks and entertainment will offer a little something for everyone.
The Wine Festival begins at 2 p.m. and will continue to 6 p.m. with nearly 40 vendors on site whose wares include a little bit of everything.
“We were fortunate in planning this. We partner with our local winery in Van Alstyne, Cooley Bay,” Van Alstyne Events Coordinator Kandi Hessel said this week. “They attend a lot of wine festivals outside of the area. They have been great partners in helping us establish a client database and additional wineries to help set up the event.”
There are five wineries: Cooley Bay, Wall Street Winery, Landon Winery, Eden Hill Winery and Neighbors Place Winery. 3 Nations Brewery and Dowling Distillery will be out there as well.
“It is very much different,” Hessel said. “We have a beverage for everyone. If you are a person that enjoys wine and wine tasting then obviously this is the event for you, but if you like to try new types of beer, we have the brewery there. If you are into more types of liquor then we have the distillery there. Each of them play a significant role in the event being such a successful event.”
Tickets for the beverage tasting are $25 for the presale and are $30 on the day of the event.
“I know a lot of people who are waiting to purchase their tickets until after they see what the weather is going to do,” Hessel said. “If you want to wait til the day of the event, you can still purchase tickets. They will just be $30 the day of the event.
Tasting tickets can be used at any of the wineries and purchase of a ticket will include a commemorative glass. But, the wine and alcohol tastings are not the only entertainment for the event.
“A lot of people come out just to enjoy the live music,” Hessel said. “The Diamond West Band will be performing. They play different genres of music. They are a very lively band. We have worked with OverDrive Entertaiment to book this. A lot of people just come out and grab a chair and then go get snacks from the vendors and food trucks. Some do not even sample the wine.”
There is no admission fee for those wishing to just come out to the park, enjoy some music and make purchases at the around 30 vendors who are not a part of the tasting.
“Also with this being at the Central Social Dist5rict with a playground there, this is also kid friendly,” Hessel said. “No one under 21 will be able to purchase an alcoholic beverage, but still we have something for everyone. We try to create family friendly events.
“So, bring the kids and come on out or get a sitter for the kids and you can still come on out. We invite everybody out.”
While rain chances this weekend could impact Saturday’s event, Hessel can check the Van Alstyne Parks and Recreation Facebook page for updates.
“If it is just rain, it will continue,” she said. “Should the weather turn severe, we would have to cancel with no contingency plan scheduled. For what is forecast right now, the weather should be later in the evening. We think we will make it through our event with no issues. But the safety of those attending our event is our top priority. So should the weather turn severe, we would cancel the event at that moment.”
This month, Van Alstyne officials also announced the schedule for the annual Sounds of Summer concert series.
“We have a full year of events planned out for 2024,” Hessel said. “Every event we do work on is family friendly. Most events, this is our one event that is not a free event for the community, but in a sense it kind of is. Anyone can come out to the park, enjoy the music and enjoy the vendors. We are looking forward to the rest of the year and we welcome everyone.”
