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Dayton’s Ohio WineFest canceled for this year, may be resurrected in 2010
The Ohio wine festival that has been held at the National City 2nd Street Market annually for the last six years — and which had been postponed this spring — has now been canceled altogether for this year, and its prospect of being resurrected for 2010 are uncertain.
“There won’t be a festival this year,” said Val Hunt, spokeswoman for Five River MetroParks that oversees the Second Street market. “These events cost money, and we had difficulty finding sponsors. It’s hard in this climate to pull an event like this together.”
MetroParks and Ohio Wine Producers Association (OWPA) officials are exploring the possibility of bringing back the festival in 2010, but there are no concrete plans yet in place, festival organizers said.
When MetroParks officials first announced the postponement in March of the festival that had been scheduled for June, they said they were “actively planning” for a fall 2009 festival instead. But several winemakers said privately at the time that a fall festival could conflict with harvest and would likely reduce wineries’ participation.
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Comments
By Jay Peterson
July 29, 2009 3:03 PM | Link to this
Who were the primary event sponsors in the past?
By Amphictyonis
July 29, 2009 12:56 PM | Link to this
If you can stand the wait, the Boonshoft Museum will host the Science of Wine in January 2010. Great event.
By chiefwino
July 29, 2009 12:13 PM | Link to this
Would it be possible to merge it with another event such as the Taste of the Miami Valley in Sept or next year’s City Folk festival? Since the wine is an agricultural product how about holding the festival in conjunction with the Montgomery County Fair? The cost of holding it in conjunction with another event would be relative low versus putting on a stand alone event.
By Justine
July 29, 2009 12:12 PM | Link to this
For anyone looking for a great wine event and a mini-vacation to boot, I recommend the Taste of Ohio up in Sandusky (my hometown). It only costs $20 for ten tastings, lunch, and a souvenir glass. Northern Ohio has excellent wineries, and you can make a great weekend of it by hitting Cedar Point or one of the islands on Sunday (never busy on Sundays). Ferry rides to the islands are only $7. The event is being held on August 15 this year from 12-6.
By Tim
July 29, 2009 11:08 AM | Link to this
This really bums me out. I’ve only recently started appreciating wines and wanted to attend this festival. I had a conflict in 2008 and couldn’t go. I was really looking forward to the event this year, only to have it postponed and ultimately cancelled. Bummer.
By tbill
July 29, 2009 10:49 AM | Link to this
OWPA should consider using the festival in Morrow as a venue.
By Cat
July 29, 2009 10:25 AM | Link to this
This is a shame. It was a very nice event and we had fun attending in the past. Too bad it’s so costly to put together. I would think someone else would put this together for less and keep it going.
By watchman
July 29, 2009 10:17 AM | Link to this
with national city having scaled back its employee numbers maybe those who headed up the effort in past years are spending their time looking for work and drinking the wine intended for the event.
By Congrats, Mark
July 29, 2009 9:30 AM | Link to this
Looks like you have quite an intelligent following for your blog.
By Joey
July 29, 2009 9:01 AM | Link to this
It looks as if the OVI checkpoints are doing more than we bargined for……..
By kelly
July 29, 2009 8:53 AM | Link to this
Yea maybe these people can get some simulus Obama bucks…