The annual Festival of the Grape returns to the Oliver Community Park on Sunday, with thousands of local residents and visitors expected to once again participate in the popular event. Once again, the grape stomping competition is expected to draw the largest crowds. Above, competitors show off their stomping skills at last year’s event. The festival runs from noon to 5 p.m. A new Night GOG event will take place Saturday evening at the Oliver Community Centre showcasing regional breweries, cideries and distilleries. (Richard McGuire file photo)
One of the best – and most popular – events in Oliver and the entire South Okanagan is just around the corner at Festival of the Grape (FOG) is almost here.
Thousands of Oliver residents and visitors from across the South Okanagan are expected to once again participate in the myriad of events taking place on Sunday, Oct. 4 between noon and 5 p.m. at the Oliver Community Park.
There will be 50-plus Okanagan Valley wineries offering tastings, the Interior Savings Kid Zone play area, food trucks, an 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 will perform 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 ‘ole fashioned barefoot grape stomping where costumed contestants literally dance on grapes for five minutes at a time.”
Here are some grape stomping fun facts:
- Approximately 1,200 pounds of Chancellor grapes are used during stomp competitions.
- Volunteers hand pick grapes on Friday before the stomp
- 12 volunteers can pick 1,200 pounds of grapes in approximately one hour (depending on the vineyard tailgate party).
- The adult stomp consists of two heats of six teams (each with a barrel) and one final of six teams.
- After the whistle is blown, each team has five minutes to produce grape juice which is weighed at the end of the stomp.
- The winning adult stomp teams typically produces 30 pounds of grape juice.
- Each adult team will dress 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 are allowed in the barrel except to throw grapes at competitors.
The Oliver Fire Department helps to wash down competitors, jugs and stomping barrels.
New to this year’s event is a “Night FOG.”
This will include an evening of celebrating local breweries, distilleries and cideries to the traditional 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 take place on Saturday, Oct. 3 from 6-9 p.m. 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
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Osoyoos Times
