5th Annual Chesapeake Bay Wine Festival To Be Held May 5 and 6 at Bay Bridge Marina

Come by boat, plane or car to the 5th Annual Chesapeake Bay Wine Festival May 5 and 6, 2012. Join us as we kick off the season at the Bay Bridge Marina near Hemingway’s Restaurant. This beautiful and scenic venue is the perfect place to spend your weekend, tasting wines from all over the world.

“We are excited that this year’s wine festival will once again be held at the Bay Bridge Marina. We welcome the local community and travelers alike to enjoy a weekend here on the Chesapeake Bay,” says Becky Groff of Inspired Events, the festival’s planner and promoter. The Bay Bridge Marina is conveniently located by taking the first exit coming off of the Bay Bridge. It’s a great stop for weekend travelers heading to the Eastern Shore.

Take this opportunity to taste exceptional international wines in addition to some of the local favorites. Visit the Maryland Tent, sponsored by Chesapeake TASTE magazine, which will feature wineries such as Mark Cascia Vineyards, St. Michaels Winery, Cygnus, Legends Vineyard, Fiore Winery, Slack, Casanelli Winery and Vineyard, and more. While you are there enjoy a Maryland crab cake and some fresh local oysters. The event will also offer international wines carefully chosen by local wine experts and selected craft brews for our beer aficionados. According to Jen DiDonato of The Winery in Chester, Maryland, “The Winery is thrilled to be participating in the Chesapeake Bay Wine Festival again this year. We are especially excited to showcase one of the most popular of our 175 Craft Beers, New Belgium Brewing which includes varieties such as Fat Tire and Ranger IPA. This year’s show presents a unique opportunity for both wine and beer lovers alike.”

The festival also features arts and craft vendors and live music by The Kelly Bell Band, Uncle Jack, The Roadhouse Clams, The Truth Project, Tom Larson, and Rich and Famous. Entertainment is sponsored by Chesapeake Happenings.

BRAND NEW THIS YEAR is the Cinco de Mayo Sangria Contest! Participating wineries will offer samples of their favorite sangria and compete for the Best Sangria Award. All attendees can vote on both Saturday and Sunday. The Free State Corvette Club will also be showcased on Sunday.

Presented by Atlantic Broadband, The Shore Update, The Shore Life Magazine, and Ebb Tide Tent and Party Rentals, the 2012 Chesapeake Bay Wine Festival is being planned and promoted by Inspired Events for the 5th year. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Foundation for Community Partnerships to purchase an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) for local sporting fields and will support the Choices Pregnancy Center in Easton.

Advance tickets are $30 each and are available online at www.ChesapeakeBayWineFest.com or at The Winery in Chester, MD (410.643.WINO). Tickets purchased at the gate are $35 each. VIP tickets are available for $60 in advance or $65 at the gate and include a private tent sponsored by Paula’s Fine Jewelry, private wine tastings, and a catered reception sponsored by Hemingway’s starting at 3:00 PM on Saturday or Sunday. Groups of 10 or more are $25 each in advance only. Tickets for designated drivers and ages 13 – 21 are $10. Kids 12 and under are free. This will be a tented event so join us rain or shine. Hours are Saturday and Sunday noon to 6:00 PM. Vendor and sponsorship opportunities are available. If you are interested in traveling by boat, the Bay Bridge Marina will have transient slips available as well as overnight stay (call 410.643.3162 for overnight rates). To join us by plane call the Bay Bridge Airport at 410.643.4364. For more information about the Chesapeake Bay Wine Festival, contact Inspired Events at 410.739.6943 or visit www.ChesapeakeBayWineFest.com.