SUBMITTED ARTICLE
PASO ROBLES — Wine grape harvest is just around the corner in the Paso Robles wine country. Traditionally, farmers held celebrations at the onset of harvest to help usher in a bountiful season. The Independent Grape Growers of the Paso Robles Area (IGGPRA) is bringing this time-honored tradition back with its Third Annual Harvest Hoedown.
The Hoedown will take place at The Loading Chute in Creston, Calif., on Aug. 5 from 6 to 10 p.m. The event is a good ol’ fashioned harvest celebration in which many traditional customs are brought back to life. The event was developed to let local growers kick off a little steam and to help promote the burgeoning wine region.
“The Harvest Hoedown is an opportunity for wine lovers and guests to mix and mingle with local growers,” said IGGPRA president, Lowell Zelinski. “One of the missions of our organization is to promote local wine grape production and help educate the wine loving community about what we do. Events like this are rare opportunities for consumers to meet growers and see another side of the industry.”
This year, guests can kick up their heels to the sounds of The Shawn Clark Family Band, who will be playing old and new country favorites. The wood-pit barbecue dinner will include tri-tip and chicken with all the fixin’s. After dinner, guests can sample an array of pies entered in the pie-baking contest. Everyone is invited to sign up to enter the pie-baking contest when they purchase a ticket to the Hoedown. Contest winners will be decided by popular vote.
Other festivities include a barn dance and a Wine Walk, a spin-off of cake walks held in yesteryears. All guest can participate in the Wine Walk for a chance to win wine or other prizes.
To help set the scene, the event will be held at the historic Loading Chute in Creston, Calif. The small country town with a population of 94 people is set in the Paso Robles wine region. It was founded in 1884 on the Rancho Huehuero Mexican land grant, and now has its own defined AVA (American Viticulture Area) called the Creston District AVA. It has been home to celebrities such as Alex Trebek, Carrie Fisher and L. Ron Hubbard. The Loading Chute restaurant, where the event is being held, is a local, iconic favorite.
Complete details on the event and pie contest are available at iggpra.com.
Seating is limited and guests must be over the age of 21.
Discounted early admission is $25 per ticket and $15 per ticket for IGGPRA members through July 26. After July 26, regular admission is $40 per ticket and $25 per ticket for IGGPRA members.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit iggpra.com or call 805-591-4204.
