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“I believe we have at least 10-to-12,000 in attendance today,” Mayor Lestine Hutchens said.
Laurette Leagon, President and CEO, of the Yadkin Valley Chamber of Commerce, which presented the festival, concurred.
“The festival is going well,” Leagon said. “We’re delighted by the attendance this year.”
Festival-goers started arriving early to the Elkin Municipal Park Saturday to enjoy the wines of 28 wineries showcasing the grapes of the Yadkin Valley. Many came carrying chairs, blankets, and even sun shelters, intent on making a day of the festival.
In addition to the wine tastings, other attractions included booths and demonstrations by craft vendors who also touted their wares — from handmade jewelry and pocketbooks to delicate pieces of pottery thrown and shaped by local resident’s hands.
Plus there were food vendors, whose multitude of offerings — from hot dogs to barbecue sandwiches to fresh grilled sausages with onions, peppers and lots of flavor — brought squeals of delight. One particular favorite, enormous plates spiraled deep-fried chips with cheese and bacon, were seen throughout the festival.
Throughout the day there was live entertainment, from bluegrass and country to shag, and a portable dance floor set before the outdoor stage had many a couple moving to the music.
Then, of course, at about half-way through the day, at around 2:30 p.m. following a welcome and thank you by Mayor Hutchens, was the annual grape stomp. First to officially begin the stomp, to which anyone was welcome to participate, were Leagon and chamber of commerce employee, Misty Matthews. Each were clad in traditional grape stomping garb and went about the challenge with gusto. Others joined in.
Throughout the day, wine tasters lined up at each winery’s booth eager to taste the newest wines created and released this spring. The phrase, “one you should try,” was heard often.
While a number of people said they had been to previous Yadkin Valley Wine Festivals, for many, this was their first exposure.
“This is the first year I’ve attended the wine festival and my husband and I are thoroughly enjoying the opportunity to taste so many wines at one venue,” said Darlene Ryder of Charlotte. “With my friend, I’ve tasted and enjoyed several of the wines from this area, but today we’ve found several that we’ve purchased bottles of to take home.”
Other visitors commented on the festival being in the park versus locating the booths on hot asphalt.
“I attended the festival in Winston-Salem last weekend,” Margaret Byrd said. “My sister and I tried to walk with the crowd on the hot pavement and the sidewalks and it was very unpleasant. People were crunched in due to the limitations of the streets, the pavement conducted the heat and the tall building blocked the breeze.
“Today at the Elkin festival, even though it’s a little hot, there’s a fresh breeze, shade trees, soft grass and the booths are spread out enough so that you aren’t being pushed and shoved around,” she said. “The band palladium is very nice. We were able to just sit on the grass under a shade tree and enjoy a beautiful spring day.”
Not only did the location of the festival drew rave reviews, so did the park, itself, which was in tip-top shape thanks to the hard work of Parks and Recreation Director Brent Cornelison and his staff and crew.
“This park is lovely and well maintained,” Thomas Wagoner of Pinehurst said. “My wife and I happened upon the festival last year, planned to attend this year and hope to make it a spring tradition.”
Being held in the park proved conducive for families with young children.
“I was visiting a friend near Stone Mountain last year with my children and we came into Elkin for the children to play in the park and swim in the pool,” said Ryder. “I really enjoyed this park. We didn’t have to worry about watching the children every second, every step like we do in Charlotte. We could allow them to run about and play and just be kids. I love this area.”
Also in love with the area were many out-of-towners and some future residents. One couple from the Dayton, Ohio told how they loved the area so much, they purchased land just across the Wilkes County line and could not wait until their new home was built enabling their permanent move to the area.
As for the wines, the consensus of wine enthusiasts is that blended wines have become a favorite, and the Yadkin Valley wineries did not disappoint. According to many, the blends presented at the wine festival were “fresh, light, fruity” and “just a wonderful, refreshing delight.”
if the amount of wines being held after purchase was any indication of the sales — as well as comments made about the wonderful choices in wines provided by Yadkin Valley wineries — said volunteers at the wine holding tent, then the festival could be deemed to be a great success.
“We want to thank all our sponsors, volunteers and the wonderful wineries and vineyards of the Yadkin Valley,” said Mayor Hutchens. “The wine festival highlights the beauty of Elkin and shows visitors the enormous potential for growth in our area.”
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