Front Royal event to add vendors on Chester Street

By Jessica Coleman -- Daily Staff Writer

FRONT ROYAL — The Virginia Wine and Craft Festival is getting ready for its 22nd year of good food, entertainment and libations.

"We have lots of great wine for wine-drinkers," said Niki Foster, president of the Front Royal-Warren County Chamber of Commerce. "But we also have great food and drinks for those who don't want to partake."

The event will be held Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

There are 20 Virginia wineries already confirmed to be on hand with wine for the tasting. But you don't have to be a wine-drinker to enjoy the festival. There will be plenty of local bands, great food, and a children's area with inflatable play equipment. A corvette show, put on by the festival's main sponsor, Jack Evans Chevrolet and Cadillac, will line Chester Street to entice car enthusiasts.

"We're encouraging entire families to come down," Foster said. "There's something for everyone."

This is the first year that the event has hosted its own Web site, www.wineandcraftfestival.com. It was launched at the beginning of April and has been instrumental in much of the advance ticket sales. Foster said she expects an even larger crowd this year than in the past. The event has typically drawn about 13,000 people, she said.

"We saw ticket sales immediately after that [launch]," she said.

The festival also is expanding. Not only will the event be held on Main Street, but it also will span the length of Chester Street all the way to the intersection of 2nd Street. This will allow a total of about 180 vendors, around 40 more than last year, said Pam Riffle, the chamber's director of finance and operations. And there are many unique vendors this year, as well, she said.

Foster said she the ambiance of downtown creates a pleasant atmosphere for the festival. Visitors also will be able to peruse the many shops that line the streets.

"It's a great event — a great family event," Riffle said. "You can come down and have a day of entertainment."

Because the festival will converge on most of the downtown area, parking will be available at Royal Phoenix on Kendrick Avenue. There will be free shuttle service from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. provided by the Front Royal Area Transit.

Advance tickets can be purchased on the event's Web site or at the Chamber office, the Front Royal Visitor Center, or Jack Evans Chevrolet and Cadillac for $12. Tickets at the gate will cost $18, and general admission, without the wine tasting, is $2.

For more information, contact the Chamber at 635-3185 or priffle@frontroyalchamber.com.

* Contact Jessica Coleman at jcoleman@nvdaily.com