The Howard County Department of Tourism calls Columbia?s annual food and wine festival, Wine in the Woods, the most civilized outdoor spring party Maryland has to offer.
“The event has always been a hit,” said Kevin Atticks, executive director of the Maryland Wine Association.
“Last year, we had 16,000 visitors. We?re planning to exceed that this year.”
The Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks, in partnership with the Maryland Wine Association, is pleased to announce the 14th annual picnic extraordinaire taking place this weekend in the halcyon atmosphere of Columbia?s Symphony Woods.
The public is invited to feast on delicious food, dance to live music under the treetops and sip wines from 13 participating Maryland wineries.
Rob Deford, owner and president of the family-run Boordy Vineyards in Hydes, Md., has been involved with the festival since its inception.
“This is a great way to affirm the connection with our customers,” he said.
“They give us instant feedback on [the wines], the good things as well as any criticism.”
Deford will bring at least a dozen of his fine wines, including a cabernet franc and a Bordeaux grape merlot.
Each ticket holder ? older than 21 ? receives wine tasting vouchers.
The festival?s Restaurant Row comprises a group of food vendors representing some of the area?sfinest caterers and restaurants, including Convenience Catering, Ostrowski?s Polish Sausage, Serra Brothers Italian Deli and Bombay Peacock Grill.
Specialty tables include Dutch funnel cakes and kettle korn.
Artisans and crafters are featured, handpicked to provide a wide variety of booths such as pottery, printmaking, jewelry, fashion apparel and furniture.
Live entertainment punctuates the festivities from 12:30 p.m. each day to closing. Some of the groups performing are zydeco band the Crawdaddies, the Avett Brothers with country rock, and the Doug Segree Band performing cool jazz.
Carol Wilson, vice president and co-owner of Elk Neck Vineyards in Frederick, calls the festival “the great send-off for the beginning of the wine season.”
Thrilled with the recent heavy rain that has watered her 8,000 new vines, she noted, Wine in the Woods “gets people excited to visit our winery and see the beginning of a new season.”
There is no doubt Symphony Woods will overflow with celebration this weekend.
Wine in the woods
The 14th Annual Wine in the Woods festival will be held from noon to 6 p.m. today and Sunday at Symphony Woods in Columbia. Tickets for a wine sampler are $20; regular admission is $4. Children younger than 3 are free. For more information, call 410-313-4632 or 410-313-7275 or visit www.wineinthewoods.com
