It's almost grape stompin' time.
Paw Paw welcomes one and all to the annual Wine & Harvest Festival Sept. 9-11.
The event is truly a community affair. It takes hundreds of volunteer hours to bring off the festival each year. Community businesses and residents contribute their time throughout the year and during the festival weekend to make it happen.
Wine enthusiasts are invited to try the tasting tents or take a wine tour.
There will be music on three stages, family activities including carnival rides and Friday evening fireworks on Maple Lake. Stompyland, a play area just for children, will be available as usual throughout the festival.
Sports events include a 5k walk or run and a bicycle tour. Vineyard Classic Bike Tour Registration takes place from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Sunday. Riders take off at 9 a.m.
Next to the wine tasting, probably the most anticipated part of the festival each year is the Grape Stomp. Four person teams roll up their pant legs, bare their feet and squish the grapes between their toes. The team that generates the most juice wins.
For the first time this year, three local service organizations will host a Duck Race at 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Ducks will be available throughout the festival weekend. The duck race is sponsored by the Paw Paw Lions Club, the Paw Paw Rotary and the Paw Paw Kiwanis.
Other highlights include an arts and crafts fair, on Paw Paw Street, next to the courthouse on Saturday and Sunday. And Saturday's Grape Escape Classic Car, Truck and Motorcycle Show will be from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in downtown Paw Paw.
The hours for the festival are 5 p.m to midnight Friday, from noon to midnight Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.
For more information, go
here or call 269-655-1111.
Writer: Kathy Jennings
Source: Paw Paw Chamber of Commerce
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