Wilkes County has a long history of producing liquid refreshment. Now that the whole county is part of the Yadkin Valley Wine Appellation and is home to vineyards and wineries, one could say that it has gone “from ‘shine to wine.” It is celebrating this newest page in its colorful history with the first annual Grape Escape, a wine and art festival, Saturday, from 11am-5pm, April 2nd, in downtown North Wilkesboro. The festival will be hosted by Historic Downtown North Wilkesboro and presented by Wilkes Regional Medical Center and Central Carolina Bank. Funding has also been provided by its major sponsors, Tyson and Foothills Mortgage, and through a grant from the Wilkesboro Tourism Development Authority.
General admission is free and will feature food, art vendors, live music from the Wilkes Acoustic Folk Society and a classic rock concert by Donny Story and The Fried Pies. Discount tickets can be bought in advance online at DowntownNorthWilkesboro.com and also at the Wilkes Art Gallery, the Wilkes Playmakers, Ivy Ridge Traditions, and Family Chiropractic. Tickets will also be available at the gate.
Wilkes has put its own twist on the event by partnering with the Wilkes Playmakers and the Wilkes Art Gallery and providing a “Grape Escape weekend.” Wilkes Art Gallery will host a wine and art auction Friday night in their beautiful new facility. They will also host guest lecturers Saturday who will educate attendees about kinds of wine, pairing wine with food, and growing grapes for wine. The Playmakers will perform A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum Saturday night to top off the Grape Escape weekend. Ticket packages can be bought for two or more events that provide a 20% discount on the total package.
It has been said that Wilkes County at one time had more ATF officers than any other county in the U. S. Historic Downtown North Wilkesboro is inviting everyone to bring their lawn chairs, rain or shine, and enjoy another great Wilkes County festival. On that day, it may be said that Wilkes County has more wine enthusiasts than any other county, if not in the U. S., at least in North Carolina.
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Wilkes County Cruisers
