Saturday’s Gloucester Wine Festival, held at Brent and Becky’s under sunny skies, with a light breeze to dampen the heat, was a huge success, according to Makalia Records, executive director of the Gloucester Chamber of Commerce, sponsors of the event.
“We’re so happy we’re back after not being able to have it for two years,” she said. “The vendors were very happy.”
Records said around 1,500 people attended the event at Brent and Becky’s, which had 50 vendors selling everything from beer and wine to jewelry. But none of it would have been possible, she said, without a crew of volunteers, sponsors to make it happen, and board members to oversee it.
“It definitely takes a village to have a good wine festival,” she said.
When the first Gloucester Wine Festival was held in 2011, said Records, there was a two-pronged goal: to market local businesses and to connect local businesses to each other. This year provided some good examples of accomplishing just that, she said, telling of a vendor who sold a variety of sauces and a food truck that used one of those sauces and said it was the best he’d ever had. He, in turn, recommended that a local store begin carrying the sauce.
“That’s an example of businesses complementing each other—of helping each other out,” said Records. “It was a positive event, a positive experience, and a lot of attendees said they can’t wait until next year.”
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The popular band Slapnation, at left, with its big sound and strong rhythms, brought those attending this year’s Gloucester Wine Festival to their feet, and they danced under the bright sun as a mild breeze eased the heat. At right, Saude Creek Winery was a big draw at the festival. Here, people—and their pets—are lined up to await their turn.
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Janine Riley of Toano and Donna Forbes of the Gloucester Visitor Center, in photo at left, take a moment during the wine festival to sit in the shade and enjoy the gardens at Brent and Becky’s Bulbs, where the festival was held. At right, buddies Patrick Newton, in front, and Turner Smith, both of Gloucester, enjoyed romping together during the family-friendly festival as their parents listened to the band nearby.