Festival of the Vine a sure sign autumn is here

Watching TV, you can hardly miss all the back-to-school ads that have been trying to capture our attention since July 5. Is this your sign that autumn is approaching? Or is it when kids officially started school?

Maybe it’s the colors changing, or perhaps when you wear your favorite sweater for the first time during the season.

I am a combination of all, but I certainly know fall is upon us when Festival of the Vine, happening Friday through Sunday, Sept. 10 to 12, rolls around.

For more than 40 years, the Geneva Chamber of Commerce has been inviting all who enjoy fantastic food, exquisite wines, energizing entertainment and a great time to this tasteful event.

Restaurants will create a culinary display of specialties from across the globe – from savory appetizers to delectable desserts – at the Flavor Fare. This year brings new menus and new eateries. What a delicious way to sample many of our local restaurants in one convenient location.

And there is free entertainment all three days on the main stage.

Since Festival of the Vine stemmed (pun intended) from anything grown on a vine, wines are a fruitful part of the festival. Eighteen wines are being offered at the wine tent for purchase by the glass. This year, there also is beer from Penrose Brewing. After all, hops are grown on a vine.

Avoid the ticket lines by purchasing your tickets at genevachamber.com.

Stroll to Third Street, where crafters literally will be wrapped around the courthouse Sept. 11 and 12. There will be music on the courthouse stairs, sponsor booths, free balloon creations and face painting for the little ones.

Adding to the atmosphere of the festival will be complimentary horse-drawn antique carriage rides and trolley rides. Carriage rides will be offered all three days to tour the historic district of Geneva. The trolley will be available Sept. 11 and 12 to take you to festival events. Hop on board and discover what makes Geneva special.

Are you ready for summer to come to an end? Like it or not, it happens every year, so you might as well raise a glass and enjoy the start of a new season at the Geneva Chamber’s Festival of the Vine.

For information on the festival and other chamber events, visit www.genevachamber.com or call 630-232-6060.

• Laura Rush is the communications manager for the Geneva Chamber of Commerce.


Laura Rush - Geneva Chamber of Commerce

Laura Rush is the communications director for the Geneva Chamber of Commerce