FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
KATHRYN KNIEP 989 724-5545 OR eve30@hotmail.com
March is a great time for planning your vacation or just dreaming of summertime. While you’re staring out the window at the last of the snow, you’ll want to consider spending July 16th at the Harrisville Wine and Food Tasting.
This year’s event will feature the traditional collection of Michigan vintners and fine food from area restaurants, but something new has been added for the non-wine taster, as well.
Fletcher Street Brewing Company, a new addition to Michigan’s growing colony of breweries, will be offering tastings of two of its products: Lumberman Laeger and Papermaker Pilsner, along with samples of their non-alcoholic Ripsaw Root Beer. Add to that some of Michigan’s finest wines, cool jazz, interesting art, and a weekend when tasting coordinators swear it never rains, all of it overlooking beautiful Harrisville Harbor on Lake Huron, and it’s a must-attend event.
Harrisville is the “almost” undiscovered jewel of the Sunrise Side. This friendly small town, halfway between Tawas and Alpena and be easily reached from both US-23 and M-72, offers a tree-lined Main Street filled with shops offering antiques, gifts, jewelry, fudge, ice cream and chocolates. Several restaurants provide everything from a casual outdoor lunch to fine dining.
In the past few years, the area has grown into a small artist colony, a favorite vacation spot for numerous artists and authors. Novelists Judith Guest’s and Fred Wolverton have each each used Harrisville as their book’s setting.
The best of Harrisville and its surrounding area, however, is absolutely free. A brief stroll through town will take you from the 100-year-old stone railroad depot past the mill pond with its working waterwheel , around the courthouse lawn lined with huge old maple trees, and – if your legs are up to it –through one of Michigan’s prettiest State Parks. Three historic bed and breakfasts are available, each with lake views, and a five-minute drive brings you to Sturgeon Point Lighthouse and the beautifully preserved 1800’s Bailey School House.
The Wine and Food Tasting weekend kicks off on Friday night, with a 50’s dance beneath the big tent. A real family event, the dance brings together everyone from small children to senior citizens, many in 1950’s costumes.
On Saturday, the Wine Tasting runs from noon to six. Entry fee includes a tasting glass and two drink tickets. Additional tickets can be purchased for $2 each.
As winter takes its sweet time shoving off, it’s nice to dream of relaxing with a glass of Michigan wine, a taste of London broil, brie or pate, and a relaxing view of Lake Huron. The Harrisville Wine and Food Tasting is one of those rare things that’s even better in reality. Keep this date open: Saturday, July 16th, 2005.
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Chef2Chef News Desk