Wine connoisseurs and casual tasters alike will have a chance to taste wines from throughout South Jersey in the sixth annual Sip in Summer Wine Festival.
The festival, which takes place at the Gloucester County 4H Fairgrounds on June 22 and 23 from noon until 5 p.m., includes wines from surrounding wineries, food trucks, live music, kid-friendly activities and craft vendors. The event is rain or shine, however, if lightning and thunder are present, cancellation will be announced online at www.NewJerseyWineEvents.com.
Admission is $15 in advance online or $20 cash at the door for those sampling wine. A souvenir wine glass will be handed out upon entry. For those not drinking, admission is $5, people under 21 are admitted for free. A government-issued ID is required to drink.
Outside wine glasses, alcohol and pets are strictly prohibited from the festival. Attendees are welcome to bring a picnic basket with food or personal seating.
“We try to make it a day you can spend to have a great time and have fun with people,” said Kathy Bullock, vice president of GPS Inc., the company organizing the event. “We recognize that people will bring in their kids. We have a moon bounce, hands-on crafts, hair braiding, cornhole and lawn games.”
Bullock added the festival will feature samplings from 14 wineries, including Autumn Lake, newly-opened Cedar Rose, Terra Nonno, Valenzano, Villari and more. The wineries will have bottles available for purchase.
“Every single winery is unique,” said Bullock. “They have a way they are all represented and have a personal touch to them, whether big or small. People have the opportunity to try new things, and they become a consumer of New Jersey wines.”
Wineries will not be able to provide stamps into the state’s Wine Passport book program, Bullock added. She said the idea of the program is for people to physically visit a winery, and festivals are prohibited from giving out stamps to fulfill one’s book.
Food vendors range from Carolina Blue, to a water ice company, cupcake restaurant, an Asian fusion food truck and more. It is recommended to bring multiple forms of payment for the food trucks.
The festival previously took place at Washington Lake Park in neighboring Washington Township, however, Bullock said they made a location change to the fairgrounds because it’s in a rich, agricultural area and exposes people to the site and the festival.
“We’re excited about the change to Gloucester Fairgrounds because we’re getting exposed to people who might not have heard about us, and it’s in a major agricultural area,” she said. “The fairgrounds supports all things in New Jersey about farming and agriculture. It’s a great marriage.”
Seeing people “create memories, enjoy their time and have fun with friends and family” is what excites Bullock about the event, and why, she said, she loves organizing it each year.
“It’s become something people put on their calendars months in advance to go to,” she added. “It’s awesome and I love that people look forward to something we put together.”
With the change in location, Bullock said if she sees as many people as last year, or more, she’ll be content because “it shows that people don’t care about where we are, but the festival itself.”
If you cannot make the Sip into Summer Wine Festival, check out these summer events occurring in and around Mullica Hill:
- Drive in to William Wilt Soccer Complex on June 14 at dusk and watch “The Greatest Showman.” Light refreshments available for purchase. Visit www.HarrisonTwp.US for more information. Rain date is June 15.
- On July 19 and Aug. 16 at Raccoon Valley Swim Club, watch movies and float in the club’s pool for Flick ‘n’ Float. Admission is free, but tickets are required. Visit the swim club or recreation office for tickets.
- On Aug. 24, from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. at 275 N. Route 77, The Music Barn will be hosting a food truck festival featuring trucks with a variety of food options and live music. Tickets available at www.TheMusicBarn.org and are $5 per person.
Editor’s note: Event notices can be submitted to the paper by emailing [email protected] with the event’s name, location, duration and date, and where to find out more information or registration details.
