Check out Festival of the Grape this Sunday, and the Night FOG Saturday. A lot of fun and a lot of wine. File photo by Richard McGuire
Festival of the Grape (FOG) is almost here.
Check out what’s happening in Oliver Community Park from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 4. There will be 50-plus Okanagan wineries offering tastings, Interior Savings Kid Zone play area, food trucks, indoor art show, 60-plus retail vendors, and a loud, messy grape stomping competition.
“For $30, (free entry for kids under 19), you won’t find a better family entertainment package than what we are offering at this year’s Festival of the Grape,” says Brian Highley, FOG’s entertainment chair. “Brandon Isaak is traditional guitar blues with music that appeals to the soul as well as the ear . . . and the feet! He will have our audience dancing and engaged. And in terms of pure entertainment – it doesn’t get much better than good ‘ol fashioned barefoot grape stomping where costumed contestants literally dance on grapes for five minutes at a time.”
Grape stomping fun facts
– Approximately 1200 pounds of Chancellor grapes are used during stomp competitions.
– Volunteers hand pick grapes on Friday before the stomp
– 12 volunteers can pick 1200 pounds of grapes in approximately one hour (depending on vineyard tail gate party).
– Adult stomp consists of two heats of six teams (each with a barrel) and one final of six teams.
– After whistle is blown, each team has five minutes to produce grape juice which is weighed at end of stomp.
– Winning adult stomp teams typically produce 30 pounds of grape juice.
– Each adult team dresses in colourful costumes. Prizes are awarded for best costume.
– Each adult team can have three or more members – the other members are only allowed to cheer on their teammates.
– Only one adult stomper is allowed in each barrel at a time. No hands allowed in the barrel except to throw grapes at competitors.
-The Oliver Fire Department helps to wash down competitors, jugs and stomping barrels.
New this year is a “Night FOG.”
A night celebrating local breweries, distilleries and cideries is being added to the annual wine event.
“Our valley is growing and we have so many more great producers creating unique spirits, beer and ciders as well as wine. Showcasing our valley as a whole is what Night FOG and FOG is all about,” says Linda Buhler, FOG committee chair.
Night FOG will be happening Saturday, Oct. 3 from 6-9 pm at the Oliver Community Centre.
Live music will be provided by Oliver’s own Wined it Up.
Tickets are just $20 or combo tickets for night FOG and FOG are available.
Tickets for both Festival of the Grape and Night FOG can be purchased online at oliverfestivalofthegrape.com
