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Friendship wine, food festival upcoming

SMITHFIELD, Ohio – The Friendship Wine and Food Festival will return to Friendship Park for its fourth year Sept. 6-7.

Wine, food and entertainment will again be part of the festivities at the Rock Point site adjacent to Friendship Park Lake, with Ohio wines front and center. This year those local wineries expected to participate include the Black Sheep Vineyard of Adena, Myrddin Winery of Berlin Center, It’s Your Winery of Akron, Bluebird Winery of Malvern and Raven’s Glenn Winery of West Lafayette, according to the festival’s website.

“The festival is nestled in the rolling hills of Jefferson County at Rock Point, overlooking the beautiful, 80-acre Friendship Park Lake,” said Roger Hilty, president of the Friendship Park Board and chairman of the festival committee. “The festival is getting bigger each year. Our goal is to create a fun, festive atmosphere and give everyone the opportunity to kick back, enjoy the event and see what Friendship Park has to offer.”

Food vendors this year will include Froehlich’s Classic Corner and Zalenski’s Family Eatery and Pub along with Mama G’s Pizza and Catering, according to the website. Artisans at the site will include Buena Vista Honey Farms of Steubenville, Dolce Pizzelles Cookie Co. of Hammondsville, Driveway Products of Steubenville, Maggie O’s of Rayland, the Ohio State University Extension office of Wintersville and Back Porch Crafts of Richmond.

Continuous entertainment also will be part of the fun, while domestic and seasonal beers will be available in the beer garden along with a big-screen TV. Events will be held mostly under tents, while the entertainment stage will include several acts on Friday, including a disc jockey from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.; opening announcements from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Ron Retzer from 6 p.m to 7:30 p.m.; and announcements from 7:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Saturday’s entertainment includes a disc jockey from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.; Kenny Wells from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m; Three’s Company from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.; announcements from 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.; the Blues Brothers from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.; announcements from 8 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.; and Deuces Wild from 8:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.

All proceeds from the festival go toward the operation of Friendship Park along with subsidizing youth activities within the park, according to a press release from the committee. This year’s sponsors include M&M Hardware of Steubenville and Husqvarna.

Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the gate for a one-day, adult wine sampler, which includes a wine glass and five tasting tickets; and $10 general admission, which includes three tickets for soft drinks or water. Those younger than 12 will be admitted free.

Advance tickets are available at Zalenski’s, 547 Cadiz Road, Wintersville; M&M Hardware, 4148 Sunset Blvd., Steubenville; Historic Fort Steuben, 120 S. Third St., Steubenville; Black Sheep Vineyard, 1454 state Route 250, Adena; and Altered Images Nail Salon, 518 Main St., Wintersville. For tickets and information, visit FriendshipWineFest.com or call Hilty at (740) 317-9073.

(Miller can be contacted at mmiller@heraldstaronline.com)

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