News

Stomp and chomp your way into fall via Geneva's Festival of the Vine

Posted September 10, 2008 11:00 pm

By Crystal Mack Daily Herald Correspondent

Kristy Britton, of Geneva, picks grapes out of her toes after a grape stomp on the first night of last year's Festival of the Vine in Geneva. Laura Stoecker | Staff Photographer

As the leaves start to change to orange, red and yellow, Geneva will welcome the warmth of autumn with a bit of grape and plenty to taste.

The Chamber of Commerce's annual Festival of the Vine begins Friday at 10 a.m. in the streets of downtown Geneva. In its 27th year, the festival hopes to entice guests with the sights, smells and tastes of this time of year.

"Lots of people think Labor Day marks the end of the summer," said Sandy Portincaso, events coordinator for the Geneva Chamber of Commerce. "With this festival, we're hoping to extend the fun of summer into the fall season."

Festival of the Vine will feature a variety of activities, with something fun for everyone. Most notable is the Flavor Fare, where participants can sample signature dishes from many Geneva restaurants, including Inglenook Pantry, Urban Grille and Aurelio's Pizza. Everything from seafood pasta to swedish meatballs is there for the tasting.

Also under the tent will be a wine tasting featuring 17 wines from around the world. Expert connoisseurs will be there to guide guests to find the perfect taste for their palate.

After savoring the flavors of fall, visitors can stroll through the Harvest Market. The entrance will present all the visual beauty of fall with a gorgeous gourds display created by The Great Pumpkin Patch of Arthur, Ill.

Among the pumpkins will be an extended arts and crafts show including over 75 artists, where shoppers will find an array of handmade gifts, accessories and decorations. The festival also has a full schedule of entertainment and family activities planned. You can kick off your shoes and squish some grapes with your toes for the Great Stomping. Afterward, mark a free T-shirt with your own purple footprints.

Or listen to the live music while the young ones play in the Kids Patch, which will host bouncy inflatables, a candy in the straw search, and John Deere tractor pulls.

If your feet get tired from all the stomping and shopping, complimentary horse-drawn carriage rides through the town will help you take a load off. There is no charge to wander through the streets of the festival. Food, wine and special treasures you may find along the way are the only costs.

"Most every thing we are offering is free, so it's a great place to meet up with friends and find another moment to celebrate," Portincaso said.

Festival of the Vine

The 27th annual Festival of the Vine will be Sept. 12-14 in downtown Geneva. For information about upcoming events, call (630) 232-6060 or visit www.genevachamber.com. The festival will be 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sept. 12-13 and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 14 in downtown Geneva, along North Fourth and Route 38 (West State Street). Admission is free. Public parking throughout the downtown, courtesy of Geneva merchants.

Friday, Sept. 12

9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Galena Cellars Vineyard & Winery, 477 S. Third St., Suite 100, offers daily wine tasting, serving wine slushies, sangria and 40 different wines by the glass on the patio. Call (630) 232-9463 for details.

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Flower Market offers fun fall decorations for indoors and out, including flowers, pumpkins, gourds, Halloween decorations, art and more on the courthouse lawn on South Third Street. Sales and display by The Pure Gardener.

11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sample the specialties of Geneva's finest restaurants under a huge white tent at Flavor Fare, West State and North Fourth streets, and listen to complimentary musical entertainment. Tickets are $1 each; entrees will cost $1-$4 each. No refunds. Ticket sales for food and wine tent end a half-hour before closing.

1 to 4 p.m. Horse-drawn antique carriage rides start at the courthouse, Third and James streets

5 to 6:30 p.m. Greg Boerner performs blues, folk, country and rock and roll-Southern style on the stage at the Flavor Fare, Fourth and State streets

5 to 9 p.m. Gibby's Wine Den and Chef James Place, 513 S. Third St., enjoy great cuisine paired with outstanding wines. Wine by the glass & for sale by the bottle; appetizers and meals for sale. No reservations required. Live music throughout the fest. Call (630) 208-6424 for details.

5 to 9 p.m. SavWay Fine Wines and Spirits, 515 W. State St., offers Geneva's largest and most comprehensive wine tasting. The $10 for wine tastings with $5 to be applied as a rebate to tasting participant upon purchase of a wine in lineup. (One rebate per participant).

6:30 or 7:15 p.m. Graham's Fine Chocolates and The Geneva Wine Seller, 302 S. Third St., offer "Bacchus Meets Quetzalcoatl" with exceptional wines paired with hand-dipped fine chocolates and live music. Tickets are $19.50 per person, age 21 and older. Limited/prepaid reservations. Call (630) 232-6655.

7:30 to 9 p.m. Hiline Band perform Motown, 1970-80's party songs and a touch of swing on the stage at the Flavor Fare, Fourth and State streets

Saturday, Sept. 13

10 a.m. to noon Sidewalk Art at Geneva Public Library, James and South Second streets. Create a sidewalk masterpiece! Free; chalk provided.

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Kids' Patch, part of the Harvest Market in courthouse parking lot at James and Fourth streets, features assorted games and crafts for kids; juggler Jason Kollum; candy in the straw; gourd crafts; bean bag toss; kids' John Deere tractor pull; and inflatable castle jump.

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fall Harvest Market, in the courthouse parking lot, James and Fourth streets, features "Gorgeous Gourds: A Harvest of Natural Art;" "The Great Pumpkin Patch" with gourd display and sale of breads, cookies and cinnamon rolls; University of Illinois Extension - Kane County Master Gardeners and gourd growing info; "Nuts About Nuts" with fresh cinnamon almonds roasted on-site and gourmet food selections; Beekeepers Charles Wenk and Clyde Eggett offer a beehive display and honey sales; and Buck Bros., Inc. offers John Deere tractor display.

10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Arts and craft show on South Third and Campbell streets

10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Flower Market offers fun fall decorations for indoors and out, including flowers, pumpkins, gourds, Halloween decorations, art and more on the courthouse lawn on South Third Street. Sales and display by The Pure Gardener.

11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Geneva History Center, 113 S. Third St., has three exhibitions for Festival of the Vine. Enjoy "Greetings from Geneva," an award-winning display about the city, and then stay for "Cabins to Condos," an examination of Geneva homes. Don't miss the 100th birthday display for the Geneva Public Library.

11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Scenic trolley rides take you between festival events with stops at Old Mill Park, Sixth and State streets; Hamilton and Fourth streets; Third and James streets; Third and Fulton streets; and Third Street and Crescent Place.

11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Little Traveler, 404 S. Third St., offers tastings from Schlink Haus and Lynfred plus a great selection of wines from all over the world. Chocovine, our newest chocolate based wine, holiday wines, i.e., Glögg, Door County Hallowine, Christmas Red and White, Gluhwein and more. Free.

11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Geneva Wine Seller, 227 S. Third St. (outside the Berry House), offers a special selection wine tasting from around the world. Free.

Noon to 9 p.m. Gibby's Wine Den and Chef James Place, 513 S. Third St., enjoy great cuisine paired with outstanding wines. Wine by the glass & for sale by the bottle; appetizers and meals for sale. No reservations required. Live music throughout the fest. Call (630) 208-6424 for details.

1 to 2 p.m. DancEncounter, Ltd. on the stage at the Flavor Fare, Fourth and State streets

1 to 4 p.m. Fourth annual Mighty Viking Boat Race at Island Park along the Fox River. Support Geneva Academic Foundation as they launch thousands of boats from the State Street bridge; winners announced at Island Park. Following race, enjoy activities, music, food, raffle and a silent auction. Call (630) 262-8048 to purchase boat/raffle tickets.

1 to 4 p.m. Horse-drawn antique carriage rides start at the courthouse, Third and James streets

2 to 6 p.m. SavWay Fine Wines and Spirits, 515 W. State St., offers Geneva's largest and most comprehensive wine tasting. The $10 for wine tastings with $5 to be applied as a rebate to tasting participant upon purchase of a wine in lineup. (One rebate per participant).

3 to 4:30 p.m. Shawn Maxwell offer an eclectic and fresh mix of jazz styles on the stage at the Flavor Fare, Fourth and State streets

4 to 7 p.m. GreenFields of Geneva, 507 S. Third St. (Dodson Place), offers a special selection of wine tasting and hors d'oeuvre. Free. Complimentary Flavor Fare tickets while supplies last.

5 to 6:30 p.m. The MacCartyns present "Harmonies, Jangle and Power" from 1965-1973 on the stage at the Flavor Fare, Fourth and State streets

6:30 p.m. Grape Stomping Event on the stage at the Flavor Fare, Fourth and State streets

7:30 to 9 p.m. Bert Cattoni Band offers a blend of contemporary country, rock, pop and blues on the stage at the Flavor Fare, Fourth and State streets

Sunday, Sept. 14

9 a.m. to 2 p.m. French Market, South Third and South streets, offers local and regional merchants showcase merchandise in a European-style open air market.

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Relax in the gardens of the 8-acre country estate at Oscar Swan Country Inn, 1800 W. State St. Tour the mansion, and enjoy a buffet for $19.95. Sing along to live music provided by violin and guitar duo Joe and Tony Marconi. For reservations, call (630) 232-0173 or visit www.oscarswan.com.

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Arts and craft show on South Third and Campbell streets

10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Galena Cellars Vineyard & Winery, 477 S. Third St., Suite 100, offers daily wine tasting, serving wine slushies, sangria and 40 different wines by the glass on the patio. Call (630) 232-9463 for details.

11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Flower Market offers fun fall decorations for indoors and out, including flowers, pumpkins, gourds, Halloween decorations, art and more on the courthouse lawn on South Third Street. Sales and display by The Pure Gardener.

11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Scenic trolley rides take you between festival events with stops at Old Mill Park, Sixth and State streets; Hamilton and Fourth streets; Third and James streets; Third and Fulton streets; and Third Street and Crescent Place.

Noon to 4 p.m. The Geneva History Center, 113 S. Third St., has three exhibitions for Festival of the Vine. Enjoy "Greetings from Geneva," an award-winning display about the city, and then stay for "Cabins to Condos," an examination of Geneva homes. Don't miss the 100th birthday display for the Geneva Public Library.

Noon to 4 p.m. Gibby's Wine Den and Chef James Place, 513 S. Third St., enjoy great cuisine paired with outstanding wines. Wine by the glass & for sale by the bottle; appetizers and meals for sale. No reservations required. Live music throughout the fest. Call (630) 208-6424 for details.

Noon to 5 p.m. The Little Traveler, 404 S. Third St., offers tastings from Schlink Haus and Lynfred plus a great selection of wines from all over the world. Chocovine, our newest chocolate based wine, holiday wines, i.e., Glögg, Door County Hallowine, Christmas red and white, Gluhwein and more. Free.

Noon to 5 p.m. The Geneva Wine Seller, 227 S. Third St. (outside the Berry House), offers a special selection wine tasting from around the world. Free.

1 to 4 p.m. Horse-drawn antique carriage rides start at the courthouse, Third and James streets

1 to 5 p.m. The StingRays performs rock and roll from the 1950s to the '70s on the stage at the Flavor Fare, Fourth and State streets

2 p.m. Grape Stomping Event on the stage at the Flavor Fare, Fourth and State streets

2 p.m. The Natural Resources Committee of Geneva offers a live auction at 212 S. Third Street (terrace of The Paper Merchant). Live auction of the painted barrels from Rain Barrels on Parade to promote environmental awareness.

2 to 5 p.m. SavWay Fine Wines and Spirits, 515 W. State St., offers Geneva's largest and most comprehensive wine tasting. The $10 for wine tastings with $5 to be applied as a rebate to tasting participant upon purchase of a wine in lineup. (One rebate per participant).

2 to 6 p.m. Live music by The Wandering Endorphin at Galena Cellars Vineyard & Winery, 477 S. Third St., Suite 100.

If you go

What: 27th Annual Festival of the Vine

When: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. today and Saturday, Sept. 13; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14.

Where: Downtown Geneva, North Fourth and Route 38 (West State Street).

Admission: Free. Tickets for food and wine tasting are $1 each, with entrees ranging from 1-4 tickets, and wine by the glass ranging from 3-10 tickets.

For more information: Call (630) 232-6060 or visit www.genevachamber.com/festivalofthevine.html

Michael Karas, then 6, of Geneva liked the look of his work as he decorated a tile at the kid's activity area during a prior Festival of the Vine in Geneva. Rick West | Staff Photographer

Schaumburg resident Richard Truty sampled a wine by Lyndfred Winery in Roselle while tasting wines at the Little Traveler at last year's Festival of the Vine in Geneva. Mary Beth Nolan | Staff Photographer

Kristy Britton smears Sara Schennum's face with smushed grapes next to friend Sam Soto during last year's Festival of the Vine grape stomp in Geneva. Laura Stoecker | Staff Photographer

Bridget Zapinski, then 6, of Westmont got a congratulatory high five after winning a game of Chutes and Ladders at the kid's activity area during a previous Festival of the Vine in Geneva. Rick West | Staff Photographer

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