OXFORD — The City of Oxford’s annual Wine and Craft Beer Festival was held on Saturday, May 20. Voted Ohio Magazine’s Best Wine Festival in 2014, 2015, and 2016, the celebration offers food, crafts, and of course, wine and beer.
According to Oxford Chamber of Commerce President Kelli Riggs, planning for the Oxford Wine & Craft Beer Festival takes a year and many volunteers. They meet often in committees and as a group for planning. Set up on the day of the festival begins at 8 a.m. with tents, tables, and chairs. Vendors and artisans start arriving around 11 a.m. to set up booths and trucks. The festival began with cooking demonstrations by Kona Bistro and a toast to the city of Oxford at 6 p.m. with Mayor Kate Rousmaniere.
During the festival, several bands performed, including John Kogge & Laurie Neyer, Garcia and Scott, Linus Tate, Jay Jesse Johnson Band, and Lisa Biales Bell of the Blues Orchestra.
According to Riggs, the festival usually gets close to 2,000 people in attendance. She added, “Despite the storm at the end of the evening, it was a success!”
Riggs said the festival is good for the community, because, “The Chamber gives out two scholarships to two Talawanda students, it brings people uptown to visit our local merchants, and brings our community and guests together for a fun filled day.”
It really does take an army to hold the Wine Festival. Riggs said her main sponsors included Luna Blu, McCullough-Hyde/TriHealth, Wild Berry, Kona Bistro, Enjoy Oxford, The Knolls of Oxford, Signery2, and Cincinnati Public Radio.
Beer sponsors included Cincy Brew Bus, Figleaf Brewing Co., and 50 West Brewing Co. Berr was also provided by Christian Moerlein Brewing, DogBerry Brewing, Municipal Brew Works, and Rhinegeist.
Event sponsors were Capitol Varsity, First American Loans, Oxford, Heidelberg Distributors, Ohio Valley Wine, Olde Schoolhouse Vineyard & Winery, Shademakers, and Vintage Wine and Winery at Versailles.
Table sponsors included Ace Hardware, Animal Care Clinic, The Apple Tree, Beaton Insurance, Car Star, Century 21, Coldwell Banker College Real Estate, The Daisy Shop, Ds DeWitt, Fey Insurance, First Merchants Bank, Gloyeske Acupuncture Point, Indian Ridge Golf Club, Jane Klenke, Kroger, MHMH Trust, Miami Performing Arts, NY Life Insurance, Rapid Fire Pizza, RDI Corporation, Robinson & Jones Co., L.P.A., Root Yoga, and State Farm/Rick Verst.
Merchants included Bath Fitter, Capitol Varsity, Enjoy Oxford, Joey Eric Fashion Truck, The Knolls of Oxford, McCullough-Hyde/TriHealth, Oxford Senior Center, Renewal by Anderson, and Shademakers.
Artisans included Barbara Atlas Oils, Be Dangled Jewelry, BEAMS in Guatemala, Black Pony Kettle Corn, Budding Creations, Cheeky by Shannon, Chocolate Moonshine, Designs by Lisa Smith, Efflorescentmetals & Body, Gallery of Dixie, George Kort Metal Sculpture, Jean Vance, Copper Glass Enamel, Meraki Jewelry, Motherland Jewelry & Gifts, Plaid Cat Creations, Snowy Ridge Studio, The Elite Boutique, Talawanda High School Field Hockey (Water Table), Treats of Love, Twisted Tines, Usborne Books, Whimsical Colorful You, and You’re Fired.
Food available was provided by Arepa Place Latin Grill, Betty James Food Truck, CS Concessions/Sarah Stowe, Kona Bistro, LaRosa’s, and Hoo’s Donut.
It takes so many people to throw this festival every year, Riggs is already thinking of next year’s celebration.
She said, “Watch for a ‘Save the Date’ and more details for the 2018 Oxford Wine & Craft Beer Festival!”
