It’s never too early to plan a wine-tastic fall weekend! The 37^th Annual Wine Country Harvest Festival returns to North East, PA September 28, 29, and 30 and is sure to be a fabulous time! This year, the festival will again fill two local parks; Wine tents, vendors, demonstrations, a variety of food, and live entertainment featuring First to Eleven, Six Year Stretch, and many more will be located in Gravel Pit Park. Hand-crafters and artisans as well as wine tents and more live entertainment will be located in Gibson Park and in addition will feature children’s activities, and the PA Grape Queen.

More than twenty bands and well over 150 exhibitors will fill the parks for the weekend, not to mention the ten participating wineries that will be set up in both Gibson Park and Gravel Pit. For your convenience, shuttle service will be provided between parks. Participating wineries include: 6 Mile Wine Cellars, Arrowhead Wine Cellars, Arundel Cellars & Brewing Company, Burch Farms Winery, Courtyard Winery, Heritage Wine Cellars, Mazza Vineyards, Penn Shore Vineyards, Presque Isle Wine Cellars, South Shore Wine Company, and Yori Wine Cellars.

This year’s festival events include free winery tours, live entertainment, grape stomping, a 5K run, and a cruise-in car show on Sunday in Gravel Pit. A magician, ballon animal artist and more will also be making the festival grounds home for the weekend. The third annual Stomp-Off competition will be held Sunday in Gibson Park at 1 PM. Eight pairs of celebrities and average Joes Anyone interested in participating should call the Chamber office at 725-4262.

Advanced tickets are now on sale for the event. General Admission tickets for Gravel Pit Park are just $6 in advance or $8 at the gate. Or, choose unlimited sampling of more than 100 wines when you purchase a Tasting Pass.  Friday/Sunday Wine Tasting Day Passes are only $20 in advance and $25 at the gate. Saturday Wine Tasting Day Passes are only $25 in advance and $30 at the gate. These include: festival admission, wine samples and a commemorative wine glass (while supplies last).  Wine Tasting Weekend Passes are only sold in advance online or at the Chamber office for $50. These are valid ALL THREE days of the festival and include: festival admission, wine samples and a commemorative wine glass (while supplies last). You must be 21 years of age to purchase a wine tasting pass.

Advanced sale tickets can be purchased at the North East Area Chamber of Commerce office at 44 West Main Street, all Erie County First National Bank locations, Meadville First National Bank locations, online at www.nechamber.org, or at participating wineries.

The Wine Festival is presented by the North East Area Chamber of Commerce, with generous sponsorship from Widget Financial, a Special Events Grant provided by ECGRA , and many more! For more information call the Chamber at (814) 725-4262.