Wine Fest Scheduled For Sept. 17 At Round Barn Farm In Manhattan

MANHATTAN, IL — "In vino veritas," as the old Latin phrase goes: "In wine there is truth." Well, how much truth is subjective, but what is not debatable is that the Manhattan Park District Foundation will be filling plenty of cups with liquid truth during the return of Wine Fest.

The 14th annual Wine Fest is scheduled from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sept. 17 at Round Barn Farm, 24115 U.S. Route 52 in Manhattan.

Attendees will be treated to an evening of live music from Midlife Crisis, select cocktails and beer from Midtown Wine Bar, food vendors, a silent auction and tickets for eight wine tastings, according to Manhattan Park District Superintendent of Recreation Shannon Forsythe.

"It's really quite beautiful in the park," Forsythe said. "We set up the tasting tables along a walking path among the oak trees, so you can kind of meander as you sample wine."

Event goers can also sit and relax in the pavilion or tented area, Forsythe said, and people are encouraged to bring a blanket if they'd like to enjoy their wine picnic style.

Plus, if one finds a wine suitable to one's taste, wine will be sold by the glass or by the bottle to take home and enjoy, Forsythe said. Attendees will also be given a Wine Fest wine glass to keep as a memento.

Wineries scheduled to be at Wine Fest are Sable Creek Winery and Bishops Hill Winery.

Food vendors scheduled to be on site include Blissful Boards & Bites, Smokin’ Z BBQ, and Midtown Bar & Grill.

Also, Express Med Spa will provide there to provided free B12 shots.

Tickets are available for pre-purchase for $25; tickets the day of the event will be $30 at the gate. Non-wine tasting tickets available for $10, which gains entry but does not include the eight wine tastings.

Proceeds from the event will go toward supporting the efforts of the Manhattan Park District to preserve the historic 100-foot Round Barn, as well as to provide resources for the Manhattan parks, the Manhattan Park District and the Manhattan Park District Foundation Grant Program.

To purchase tickets online, follow this link. Tickets may also be purchased in person at Berkot's Super Foods at its Manhattan location, 100 Market Place, and New Lenox location, 2141 Calistoga Drive.

For more information, call the Manhattan Park District at (815) 478-3324.