Wine Fest to Boost Switzerland County
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowA four-day celebration that begins this afternoon is expected to draw more than 20,000 people to southeast Indiana. Switzerland County Tourism anticipates the 42nd annual Swiss Wine Festival will inject more than $160,000 into the area economy. News Release
Originally Posted July 29, 2013
VEVAY, Ind. – An air of excitement is materializing across Switzerland County, Indiana. Guests won't be disappointed as organizers are pulling out all the corks for the 42st annual Swiss Wine Festival. Held at Paul Ogle Riverfront Park in Vevay, IN, this year's event is Thurday-Sunday, August 22-25, 2013.
Tracy Lawrence will headline Friday night's concert begining at 8:45pm. Some seating will be available, but you may bring a lawn chair. Many other fabulous entertainers will be performing throughout the weekend.
The Swiss Wine Festival is a four-day celebration that commemorates Switzerland County's winemaking roots and bragging rights as the “Birthplace of the First Successful Commercial Winery in the United States.”
“Switzerland County and Vevay have worked hard over the years to put this part of southeastern Indiana on the map,” said Kendal Miller, public relations for the event. “The Swiss Wine Festival has played a big part in that.”
Visitors will find the traditional aspects of the festival firmly in place – the famous Wine Tasting Pavilion, Midwest Championship Grape Stomp, arts & crafts, amusement rides, Grand Festival Parade, riverboat cruises, 5K run/walk, cheerleading competition, live entertainment, and more.
Twelve Indiana wineries are offering samplings of their award-winning wines, with staff on hand to answer questions about their yield. Novice or connoisseur wine lovers can enjoy sample tastes or a glass/bottle if already acquainted with their palates desire. Participating wineries include Buck Creek, Carousel, Chateau De Pique, Ertel Cellars, French Lick, Grateful Goat Vineyard, Harmony, Indian Creek, Lanthier, Ridge, Windy Knoll, and Winzerwald.
The event will have varieties of cuisine to suit anyone's tastes. “The Swiss Wine Festival was selected as the fourth best food festival in Indiana by the Best of Indiana earlier this year,” Miller said. “It is also a Top 10 event in Indiana by Top Events USA.”
Upholding the Swiss Wine Festival tradition, gates open on Thursday with the Little Swiss Polka and Edelweiss Dancers.
Festivities began on Saturday morning at 10:00 am with the Grand Festival Parade in downtown Vevay. Marching bands, floats, and local and visitors line the streets of Main Street to kick-off the celebration Switzerland County-style.
Entry into the 2013 festival: Admission and parking is free on Thursday only. Admission is $5 per day on Friday-Sunday. Children 5-12 years are admitted for $3, with under age five free. Parking is $5 per vehicle. Festival times are Thursday, August 22, 5-10 pm; Friday, August. 23, 3 pm-2 am; Saturday, August. 24, 10:30 am-2 am; and Sunday, August. 25, from 10:30 am-6:30 pm.
The Wine Pavilion is closed on Thursday, but is open Friday 3-10 pm, Saturday 11 am-10 pm, and Sunday 12-6 pm. The $15 admission fee includes wine samples and a souvenir wine glass.
Additional activities, performers, and events can be found on the Swiss Wine Festival website at http://swisswinefestival.org/, or call 812-427-9463. Reservations for riverboat cruises can be made by calling 800-435-5688. Information on lodging, local businesses and tourist activities can be found at http://switzcotourism.com/ or by calling Switzerland County Tourism at 812-427-3237.
Source: Switzerland County Tourism