WHEELING - Along with wines from six different West Virginia wineries to taste and purchase, the fifth annual Wheeling Wine & Jazz Festival will feature a variety of music and food.
The event is slated from 4-10 p.m. Aug. 25 at Heritage Port in Wheeling. And this year's presenting sponsor is Main Street Bank, said event Chairman Greg Smith.
"I attended the festival in the past and saw what a great community event it is. It's growing and the bank is heavily involved in the community we serve. I thought this was the perfect match," said Rich Lucas, president and chief executive officer of Main Street Bank.
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Wheeling Wine & Jazz Festival Chairman Greg Smith, left, stands inside Good Mansion Wines of Wheeling with Rich Lucas, president and chief executive officer of Main Street Bank. The bank is the presenting sponsor of this year's festival, slated 4-10 p.m. Aug. 25 at Heritage Port. -- Shelley Hanson
Smith said committee members are putting the final touches on the festival that attracted 1,000 people last year.
"It's a nice cultural event," he said. "People receive a complimentary glass for tasting. ... Each station has a knowledgeable person to talk about the wines."
In addition to the commemorative wine glass, the admission fee includes a bottle opener, festival program and, of course, wine tasting. Participating West Virginia wineries include: Vu ja de Vineyards of Spencer; West-Whitehill Winery of Moorefield; Cascarelli's Old Country Wines of Salem; Kirkwood Winery of Summersville; Watts Roost Vineyard of Lewisburg; and Kenco Farms Meadery of Sutton.
He said Good Mansion Wines, a Wheeling-based shop, plans to offer fine wine tastings starting at 5 p.m. and then each hour after. The wines will be from various countries. Food vendors this year include the Alpha, Rollin Smoke and Ideal Provisions.
"Ideal Provisions will have a free cheese tasting and fondue station," Smith said.
This year's musical acts will be the Chris Barrick Group; the Olga Watkins Band; the Travis Hoard Ensemble; and the Benny Benack Band featuring Benny Benack III.
