By R.J. DeLuke
Organizers of the first Adirondack Wine & Food Festival are hoping some 3,000 people attend the event in Lake George and have further aspirations that it will grow to one of the best tourist events each year for the region. At an April 29 news conference at SUNY Adirondack’s Culinary Arts Building in Queensbury, the event was formally announced. Sasha Pardy, co-owner of Adirondack Winery and developer of the two-day event said some 30 wineries and speciality food vendors will participate.
Organizers of the first Adirondack Wine & Food Festival are hoping some 3,000 people attend the event in Lake George and have further aspirations that it will grow to one of the best tourist events each year for the region. At an April 29 news conference at SUNY Adirondack’s Culinary Arts Building in Queensbury, the event was formally announced. Sasha Pardy, co-owner of Adirondack Winery and developer of the two-day event said some 30 wineries and speciality food vendors will participate.
The event will celebrate craft beverages and locally made foods that the Lake George/Adirondack region has to offer. It is slated for noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, June 27, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 28, at Charles R. Wood Park, Westbrook Road, Lake George.
“Take your taste buds on an unforgettable journey as you are introduced to over 30 New York State craft beverage producers and food vendors, with the beauty of Lake George as your backdrop,” said Pardy.
Stephanie Ottino, the festival coordinator (also events manager at Adirondack Winery), said the vendor list “is growing every single day” and the excitement is high.
Stephanie Ottino, the festival coordinator (also events manager at Adirondack Winery), said the vendor list “is growing every single day” and the excitement is high.
Peter Aust, president and CEO Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce, said his organization was proud to be assisting with the event and referred to an “explosion” of the craft brewery/distillery/winery industry in the region that the festival will put under the spotlight.
A portion of the proceeds will go to the SUNY Adirondack Foundation. Jill Vogel, foundation director, said she foresees the festival becoming “the next great destination even for the Adirondack region.”
Pardy said she and her husband, Michael Pardy, long dreamed about developing a wine culture in Lake George, starting with Adirondack Winery on Canada Street, which they opened seven years ago.
“People don’t commonly associate our area with wine, as it is not considered an established grape-growing region. However, over the past several years, Adirondack Winery has cultivated its local and visiting customers into an ever-growing base of passionate wine lovers,” she said in press release.
“In addition, numerous wineries, breweries, distilleries and cideries have opened their doors,” Pardy added. “Now, our area is home to a Wine Trail boasting 14 members and a Craft Beverage Trail with more than 20 members. What better place to showcase the amazing hand-crafted products of these businesses than Lake George?”
“In addition, numerous wineries, breweries, distilleries and cideries have opened their doors,” Pardy added. “Now, our area is home to a Wine Trail boasting 14 members and a Craft Beverage Trail with more than 20 members. What better place to showcase the amazing hand-crafted products of these businesses than Lake George?”
The event will take place rain or shine. Festival-goers will have the opportunity to “try before they buy” the various products.
The Warren County Occupancy Tax Committee and the village and town of Lake George awarded $13,500 in funding for the event.
Organizers have been working closely with Black Dog Designs (website & branding), Mannix Marketing (online marketing), Adirondack Broadcasting (radio) and Liberty Graphics (print marketing) to market the event..
For more information, visit www.adkwinefest.com
For more information, visit www.adkwinefest.com