Note: The Niagara Wine Festival is celebrating its 60th anniversary for the popular event centred in the downtown of St. Catharines. Events were announced Thursday. Here is the press release as issued.
St. Catharines, ON – Join the Niagara Grape & Wine Festival for its 60th Annual Niagara Wine Festival. The Diamond Harvest celebration will take place September 16th through 25th, 2011. The 2011 harvest celebration is jam packed with incredible live entertainment, seminars, parades and local VQA wine and food.
Montebello Park plays host to the annual event including the WestJet Centre Stage. Each night will be presented by a sponsor including RBC Opening Night with a not to miss evening of music including Canadian Juno nominee Royal Wood and award winning headliner Glass Tiger.
For two weekends, the WestJet Centre Stage along with Sun Media and EZ Rock 105.7, will host a roster full of incredible Canadian talent and local favourites, The Caverners and Desire, the International U2 Tribute act. And added to the list of great tribute bands we will host Hotel California and the Wheat Kings. The 2011 SCENE People’s Choice Winners, The Bends will take the stage on Sunday September 18th along with a two weekend showcase of emerging Niagara artists like Justin Glatt, Ariana Gillis and Aidan Miller with The Smoothies.
The Fallsview Casino Resort presents The Wine and Culinary Food Experience presenting over 100 VQA wines available for tasting along with culinary favourites. The Festival has been working with local chefs to encourage the use of fresh local products; not only do we reduce our carbon footprint but also support local farm gate community.
In keeping with the 60th Anniversary celebratory theme, the SmartCentres Retrocom Grande Parade will be titled “Celebrating our Diamond Harvest”. This toast to the past and present of the Grape industry will include marching bands, dance troops, floats and amazing performers.
The Festival would not be complete without its traditions like the 2011 First Ontario Pied Piper Parade’s “Mr. Grapes Sparkly Birthday Party” and family activities including an expanded Family activities area with Grapeland and a new Tween area presented by Niagara Inflatables.
For the best view in the part, check out the Canadian Food and Wine Institute’s All Access Lounge, where creature comforts include LCD Screens, special wine and culinary pairings and Dairy Farmers of Canada cheese tastings. And to celebrate the Diamond Harvest closing Sunday will feature a special Sparkling Brunch.
There is no better time than the fall to experience the beauty of the Niagara vineyards. The CIBC Discovery Pass showcases 35 wine and culinary experiences across the Niagara Region.
“We are very excited about the programming of this year’s Diamond harvest and included archive photos of festivals from the past. The Niagara Wine Festival continues to provide experiences that will draw visitors to our region and also honour the community’s traditions”, states Kimberly Hundertmark, Executive Director of the Niagara Grape and Wine Festival
Discovery Passes are $30 (plus HST) and All Access Lounge tickets are $45 and available by calling the Niagara Grape and Wine Festival at 905.688.0212 or on line tickets at niagarawinefestival.com
For more information contact:
Kimberly Hundertmark
Executive Director, Niagara Grape and Wine Festival
kimberlyh@niagarawinefestival.com
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