3rd Annual Budbreak Wine Festival

MOUNT AIRY, N.C. - A total of 15 North Carolina wineries will participate in the third annual Budbreak Wine Festival, May 4-5 in downtown Mount Airy.

 

This spring gathering celebrates the breaking of buds at vineyards in the Yadkin Valley and throughout the state of North Carolina.

 

The festival kicks off Friday evening with a wine judging competition and special VIP party from 6-9 p.m. at Old North State Winery. It continues in earnest Saturday with the wineries, local artists and food vendors exhibiting on Main Street from noon to 6 p.m.

Each winery provides wine tastings and education about North Carolina's expanding wine industry.

Participating wineries are: Carolina Heritage of Elkin; Dennis Vineyards of Albemarle; Divine Llama of East Bend; Ginger Creek of Taylorsville; Herrera Vineyards of Dobson; Native Vines Winery of Lexington; Old North State of Mount Airy; Ole Mill of Mount Airy; Round Peak of Mount Airy; Slightly Askew of Elkin; Southern Charm of Lincolnton; Stony Knoll of Dobson; Thistle Meadow of Laurel Springs; Vineyards on the Scuppernong in Columbia; and Waldensian Style Wines in Connelly Springs.

Live music adds to the festivities, headlined by Rolling Stones saxophonist Bobby Keys. Keys will collaborate with a local band - Mediocre Bad Guys - to entertain the crowd with a mix of classic hits from the 1970s, '80s and '90s. Also slated to perform is Skate Rink Jukebox of Charlotte, a versatile band that plays everything from beach to R&B to reggae.

Friday evening's VIP party features a performance by renowned jazz vocalist Melva Houston of Memphis.

Tickets for the festival, co-sponsored by the Mount Airy Rotary Club and Downtown Business Association, are $15 in advance and $20 at the gate. Also available are $5 tickets that do not include wine tastings. Tickets for Friday's VIP party are $10.

Tickets and further details are available online at: www.budbreakfestival.com.
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