Augusta’s Annual Harvest Festival to celebrate local artists and artisans will be held Sept. 14-15.
Sponsored by the Greater Augusta Chamber of Commerce, this year’s event will “provide an opportunity to experience the heart of Augusta’s Wine Country from a completely different viewpoint,” said event chairman, Randal Oaks.
The Harvest Festival will kick off with the “Swingin’ in the Vines Concert and Picnic in the Vineyard” on Friday evening, Sept. 14, at 5:30 p.m. Participants will board a rustic wagon to one of Augusta’s original vaulted wine cellars and enjoy a gourmet picnic basket dinner in the vineyards with music by Michael Lacey and his New Orleans Swing Band.
Reservations are required. Call 636-228-4005 or visit www.augusta-chamber.org.
A Kids Harvest Parade will be held Saturday, Sept. 15, at 10 a.m. followed by a children’s yoga demonstration, Plein-Air Art demonstration and a Quick Paint Contest for kids in the Augusta Town Square.
“The Art of My Mama’s Kitchen” Pie Baking contest also will be held Saturday. Winners of the pie baking and children’s art contest will be announced at noon in the Town Square, followed by a pie walk.
Throughout the day, the lawn at Ebenezer United Church of Christ Church will be filled with rocking chairs for a “Rock-a-Thon” fundraiser hosted by the Heritage Cluster of United Church of Christ churches. “Rockers” will rock from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to raise money for Camp Mo-Val.
Saturday afternoon will provide the opportunity to meet seven unique Augusta artists and artisans who will discuss their craft: glass blowing, woodcarving, culinary arts, healing arts, quilt making, and more. A schedule and venue will be posted at www.Augusta-Chamber.org.
Bringing the “Art of Music in Augusta” alive, the Augusta Bottoms Consort will perform Saturday, Sept. 15, under the arbor at Oaks Crossing from 2-4:30 p.m.; and there will be artisans working and plein-air artists painting around town.
The Wine Maker’s Social on Saturday evening will close out the Harvest Festival. This is an exclusive dining experience where wine makers from the Augusta area each select a wine to be paired with an hors d’oeuvre or dinner menu item. The event rotates from one venue to another each year.
This year’s event will be hosted by Sugar Creek Winery. It will include a sunset toast and hors d’oeuvres on the bluff where guests can meet the local wine makers, then board a harvest wagon to the vineyards for a seated dinner.
Guest speakers will be Catherine Neville, editor and publisher of FEAST magazine; and Jack Galmiche, president and CEO of PBS Channel 9 Network.
Cellist Gregory Spillman, with Jefferson City Symphony, will provide classical and classic rock music. Seating is limited to 100 guests. Reservations are required.
A silent auction during the two-day festival will provide an opportunity to purchase unique one-of-a-kind items, art and exclusive wine country experiences in Augusta Wine Country. Winners will be announced at the “Wine Maker’s Social.”
Reservations for Friday and Saturday evenings’ special events can be made through The Greater Augusta Chamber of Commerce, 636-228-4005, or by e-mail at gacc.augusta@gmail.com. Visit www.augusta-chamber.org for more detailed information.
