Wine festival returns to Washington Lake Park June 24 & 25
The summer season will uncork in grand style once again when 16 of New Jersey’s finest wineries join together for the fifth annual Washington Lake Park Wine Festival taking place Saturday and Sunday June 24 and 25, from noon to 5 p.m. each day. Produced by GPS, Inc., this weekend of New Jersey wine, culinary treats, live music, hand-made artisan crafts and kids activities are the right way to “sip into summer.”
“We are so excited to be celebrating our fifth anniversary of the Washington Lake Park Wine Festival. The past four years of the festival have all been wonderful and we are working hard to make this year’s annual event even more successful,” said Kathy Bullock, vice president of GPS, Inc. “The tremendous response by the local community and the support of officials in Washington Township over the years has absolutely been the key to our success.”
According to Bullock, this year’s festival will feature 16 New Jersey wineries offering up samples and sales of more than 300 wines made right here in the garden state.
“Wineries really embrace this event as a time to ‘sip into summer’ and unveil some of their newest offerings for the summer season,” Bullock said. “Our instinct was right from the beginning that Washington Lake Park lends itself perfectly to the ambiance of a wine festival. I can not wait to again see everyone filling the great lawn in front of the amphitheater, listening to fabulous bands, enjoying great wine, browsing our artisan crafters and just relaxing with family and friends.”
The Washington Lake Park Wine Festival is proud to feature some of New Jersey’s finest wineries: Amalthea Cellars; Auburn Road Vineyards; Cava Winery; Cedarvale Vineyard & Winery; Chestnut Run Farms; Coda Rossa Winery; DiBella Winery; DiMatteo Vineyard; Monroeville Vineyard; Natali Vineyards; Plagido’s Winery; Southwind Vineyard; Tomasello Winery; Valenzano Winery; and Villari Vineyards and Wagonhouse Winery. This prestigious group of wineries brings with them numerous award winning wines, including double gold, gold, silver and bronze winners from the International Finger Lakes Competition, The San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition and the Indy International Wine Competition, just to name a few.
“This event really embodies the perfect wine festival atmosphere,” Bullock said. “Come to the festival for a chance to meet the winemakers and learn about New Jersey’s rich wine heritage. Make sure to stay for an afternoon of great wine, savory foods and beautiful crafts. We really believe we are fast becoming a tradition for families and friends to kick off their summer season.”
On Saturday, June 24, the Washington Lake Park Wine Festival welcomes one of New Jersey’s rock n’ roll bands — Stealing Savanah. Known for their high-energy, infectious, ‘get on your feet and sing along’ performances, Stealing Savanah will be hitting the stage ready to take the audience by storm. Playing a combination of music, such as tunes by Tom Petty, Springsteen, Cold Play and so many more, combined with their own brand of timeless and powerful rock n’ roll, Stealing Savanah will keep the audience groovin’ and movin’ all day long.
On Sunday, June 25, we welcome to the stage a band that is no stranger to the area — Right Turn @ Forty. Comprised of six talented and experienced lifelong musicians, using the gift of music as a means to bring people together to sing, dance, laugh, celebrate and enjoy, Right Turn @ 40 offers something for music lovers of all ages. The band will be bringing rock n’ roll memories back to life with a large collection of hit cover songs from the past four decades, from the artists you know and love.
No wine festival would be complete without delectable “eats and treats” for sale. The Washington Lake Park Wine Festival will feature culinary cuisine from some of the best food trucks around. Joining the festivities will be Carolina Blue, serving their signature ribs along with scrumptious mac and cheese; Little Sicilian Riceballs (Saturday only), serving authentic Italian dishes made from fresh ingredients; and Woodbury Polish Water Ice dishing up delicious frozen treats for young and old alike. Back by popular demand is the Mexi-Flip Taco Truck whose famous tacos made from all natural ingredients has been a crowd favorite for the last two years. Joining the festival this year is the famous Shark Bait food truck, serving up delectable sushi with a twist and the House of Cupcakes winners of “The Cupcake Wars.” Sunday will also see the addition of the ever-popular Brazbq food truck, bringing their Brazilian styled cuisine for all to enjoy.
While at the festival, stop by our wonderful artisan crafters whose hand made items take on a decidedly “wine flair.” Among the crafters you will find for sale gourmet spices and sauces, hats, jewelry, lighted wine bottles, gourmet pasta, wine glass charms, wine infused pastries, wine glass holders, wine stoppers and furniture from recycled wine barrels.
Tickets for the Washington Lake Park Wine Festival can be purchased in advance at the discount rate of $15 and at the gate for $20. Spectators and those under 21 are $5.00 and these tickets are only available at the gate. Paid admission to the Washington Lake Park Wine Festival includes wine tasting of more than 300 New Jersey wines and a souvenir wine glass. Attendees will not only be able to sample wine but also purchase wines by the bottle or case. We encourage everyone to bring blankets and chairs so they can spend the day, as wine bottles purchased at the festival may also be opened and consumed within the confines of the festival grounds.
Anyone wishing to learn more about the Washington Lake Park Wine Festival, or desiring to buy advance discount tickets, can visit www.newjerseywineevents.com. Large groups or bus groups can send an email via the festival web site.
