Fan favorites, new offerings at Wine and Jazz Festival
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MORGANTOWN – The 31st annual West Virginia Wine and Jazz Festival returns to the Ruby Amphitheater at Hazel Ruby McQuain Park, 185 Garrett St., Morgantown.
Events begin Saturday at 11 a.m. and last until 7 p.m. The festival continues on Sunday, starting at 11 a.m. and ending at 6 p.m.
There will be performances from local artists and university groups, including the WVU Faculty Ensemble, Veterans with Guitars and the Swingside Jazz Band.
For the first time in event history, the Wine and Jazz festival will host the U.S. Navy Commodores, who will perform from 2:30-3:30 p.m. Saturday, according to Jerrica Moldowan, festival secretary.
"I am very excited to listen to them," she said.
There will be multiple food and wine vendors, including the Mon Valley Vineyards, Forks of Cheat Winery, This and That Bakery, Dina Colada and more.
Local artisans will also be present at the festival, such as Bristles and Designs, Bobbin & Broom and Crow's Nest Cottage.
Moldowan is proud to host fan favorites since the festival's origination. She said that the event will have six wineries, 10 bands, 12 artisans and seven food trucks this year.
"A lot of the same wineries that have been there for years are the same ones that we still have," she said. "Everybody always loves Tanner's [Alley], which is downtown; everybody always loves to go there. We also have a permanent jewelry vendor that people really enjoy."
The goal of the nonprofit is to give back to the community, including the West Virginia University School of Music, United Way of Monongalia and Preston Counties, the WVU Foundation Education Endowment and more. In the history of the event, the festival has raised $587,266.75, according to wvwineandjazz.com.
For the first time this year, any child K-12 is eligible for free entry with a paid ticket holder, according to Moldowan. This year's goal is to raise money for local instrument donations to local schools through Fawley Music Company.
"We're trying to get kids more involved in the music, that is our primary goal," she said. "This year, we are focusing on local schools within West Virginia that are sending requests to Fawley's in Morgantown, sending their instruments there, and we have a certain amount that we are willing to pay towards repairing those instruments for the kids."
The festival is still asking for vendors to support the local partners. There are four tiers of sponsorship availability, ranging from a $500 to a $5,000 donation.
Tickets are $30 a day and include a wine glass and wine tasting access for guests 21 and over. VIP Tickets are available for $60, and includes access to a hospitality area, waitstaff service and complimentary tastings.
Tickets are available online at wvwineandjazz.com/tickets/ or at the door.