Warm Sunshine...Light Breeze...Laughter fills the air... These are all signs that the 25th Annual Virginia Wine and Craft Festival is just around the corner. Join us on Saturday, May 21, 2011 in historic downtown Front Royal, Virginia for a day of shopping, kids games and of course, wine tasting. The festival gates open at 10 a.m. with activities and musical entertainment all day until 6 p.m.

 

Come and enjoy tastings from 20 Virginia wineries which include, Attimo Winery, Bright Meadow Farm, Cedar Creek Winery LLC, Chateau Morrisette, Coltsfoot Winery, Cooper Vineyards, Democracy Vineyards, Fox Meadow Winery, Horton Vineyards Inc., Mattaponi Winery, North Mountain Vineyard & Winery, Peaks of Otter Winery, Rappahannock Cellars, Rebec Vineyards, Sans Soucy Vineyards, Shenandoah Vineyards, and Wisteria Farm and Vineyard.

 

Covering more than 7 seven blocks and featuring over 100 vendors, artists and crafters from all over the east coast, there won’t be anything you can’t find to fit your style, mood or need. Fine handmade jewelry, hand painted wine glasses, hand crafted musical instruments, pottery and ceramics, clothing, original paintings and artwork, antiques, the list goes on.

Not to be outdone by the wineries and crafters, the food vendors are coming out in full force. With over a dozen to choose from, deciding whether to have funnel cakes, fresh roasted nuts, crabcake sandwiches, steak-n-cheese, shish kabobs, or just burgers and dogs may take you the whole day. Several restaurants will also be open during the festival in case you prefer to sit and rest a bit while you eat.

 

With the expanded children’s area this year, the kids will be totally worn out at the end of the festival. They can take a trip down the giant slide, flop around in the moon bounce, or even joust with a friend. Face painting, cake walks, ice cream and video games are just a few of the activities that will keep the kids occupied.

 

Music fills the air throughout the day at either end of Main Street. At the gazebo, classic rock, Eyesoar will perform from 10:30am – 1pm. Terry and The Mudcats brings their high energy performance to the gazebo area this year from 2pm – 5:30pm. Performing blues and jazz, you are sure to enjoy a little dancing and a lot of fun. At the courthouse, we welcome back The Church Street Project from Noon – 2 p.m and Shotgun Sliver from 2pm - 5:30pm. Admission is $15.00 in advance or $20 at the gate for those who wish to wine taste. General admission is just $2.00 and children 6/under are free. Advance tickets can be purchased in a number of ways; you can visit the Chamber of Commerce at 104 E. Main Street, Front Royal or the Front Royal Visitor Center at 414 E. Main Street, Front Royal. Free parking and shuttle service will be provided by the Front Royal-Warren County Tourism Department from the Royal Phoenix Parking area located at 400 Kendrick Lane, Front Royal.

 

So, come to Front Royal for the Wine & Craft Festival, but stay an extra day to enjoy all that we have to offer. With five golf courses, museums, a theatre and Skyline Caverns you can certainly relax; Shenandoah River State Park and Shenandoah National Park offer opportunities for canoeing, hiking, fishing and camping. So, whether you like to take it easy or stay on the move, Front Royal-Warren County is the perfect destination.

 

Special thanks to our festival sponsors: The Apple House, The River 95.3 FM, Warren Memorial Hospital, Culligan, Q102/99.3 The Fox/KISS FM 98.3, BB & T, TV3 Winchester, and Linking You.

 

For more information contact the Chamber of Commerce at 540-635-3185.