1st Annual Alexandria’s Food & Wine Festival to Take Place Saturday, June 23rd

alex_f&w_fest_poster_print

One of my favorite quaint and historic treasures around which I enjoy traipsing and treading is Old Town Alexandria.  That area is a special place and those who can appreciate what it offers spend a lot of time there.  Many finally succumb and make the move to call Alexandria home because they cannot help but be drawn to the community and its family-friendly appeal.

Businesses, boutiques, bars, art galleries, and restaurants line the old time streets and brick sidewalks, beckoning locals, tourists, and any wanderer in, while dogs are invited to lap up water in bowls found within the store front.  Alexandria is a “happy place” without being saccharine.

For the first time, the city is hosting the Alexandria’s Food & Wine Festival which will happen during the daytime on Saturday, June 23rd in Old Town’s Carlyle District.  The open space will be transformed into a lively festival, complete with live entertainment, a children’s corner, food and wine tasting, a food demonstration showcase area and a VIP networking reception for sponsors. Local restaurants will compete for the best appetizer, the best main course and the best dessert. Attendees will be able to sample food and wine from a variety of local restaurants and Virginia’s wineries.

Alexandria’s Food and Wine Festival 2012 participating restaurants and wineries include: Restaurants—The Chart House, Delia’s Mediterranean Grill, San Antonio Bar & Grill, Walker’s Grille, Clydes at Mark Center, Rita’s Ice Custard, Indigo Landing, Alexandria Cupcake, La Tasca, and Jamieson Grille; Wineries—Mattaponi Winery, Unicorn Winery, Prince Michel Vineyard and Winery, Lake Anna Winery, Glass House Winery, DelFosse Vineyard and Winery and Cedar Creek Winery.

The judging panel consist of Lisa Shapiro, dining reporter for the Washington Examiner and Founder of Dining inDC, Molly Ahearn from regional foodie website TheListAreYouOnIt.com, and Darik Kristofer, radio personality from 94.7 Fresh FM. More judges will be added and announced on the festival website.

The festival provides the opportunity to give back to the community through local non-profit organizations. Active duty military families will benefit from one (1) free book (25 taste tickets) per family (while supplies last) and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Carpenter’s Shelter of Alexandria.

Sponsors for the festival include Post Properties, NOVA Advertising, George Washington University and Indigo Landing.

Presented by: S and B Event Management LLC in partnership with the City of Alexandria and Carlyle Community Council | John Carlyle Square in the Carlyle District of Alexandria. 300 John Carlyle Street | 12pm-5pm | This is a FREE event to attend; however tickets are needed to sample food and beverages. Each booklet is comprised of a total of 25 Taste tickets at the price of $20. Wine tastes are $10.

About Pamela Sorensen:
Pamela Lynne Sorensen is the founder of Pamela’s Punch, a leading source of information for the “who, what, when, and where” of Washington, DC’s elite social, professional, and philanthropic scene, which she founded in November of 2006. In 2012 she launched Pacific Punch, based in Los Angeles. Pamela comes from an extensive background in sales and business development from a variety of industries, has been involved with charities and fundraising for a number of years and holds several Board and leadership positions. She currently resides in Arlington, Virginia and when she’s not out on the town, she’s reading or writing while sipping fine wine, or traveling the country and the world ISO adventures, beauty, fun, food, style, libations, music, and the good life. Follow her on Twitter at @pamelaspunch.
TAGS: , , ,