Popular Gig Harbor Wine & Food Festival to Return in 2014

The Donkey Creek Construction project is impacting more than just traffic.  The Gig Harbor Downtown Waterfront Alliance (formerly the Gig Harbor Historic Waterfront Association) announced today that due to the impact the construction will have on the grounds of the Harbor History Museum, the site of this popular festival since the 2010 inaugural event, they will be not be holding a 2013 Wine & Food Festival. 

The GHDWA made the decision at their March Board Meeting following much careful thought and discussion.  Gary Glein, GHDWA Board President, said, “While we are all disappointed not to offer this popular event in 2013, we are all excited to get started on planning the 2014 Festival.  We have contacted our winery and restaurant vendors and hope that they will put us on their schedule for next year, and we are broadening our scope to include new partners.”

The 2010 Wine & Food Festival featured Top Chef, Fabio Viviani, and in 2011 Kevin Gillespie was the featured celebrity chef.  Last year Holly Smith, of Cafe Juanita in Kirkland was the guest chef.  The festival has traditionally hosted 30-35 wineries and breweries and 15-20 restaurants offering delectable bites. In addition to the wine and food tastings, the festival is known for its cooking demonstrations, educational offerings, and of course, the celebrity chef cook-off.  Over its three years, the Wine & Food Festival has been supported by hundreds of hours of volunteer efforts, for which the Alliance is truly grateful.

THANK YOU!

The 3rd Annual Gig Harbor Wine & Food Festival is one for the history books. Our sincerest thanks to all who participated. Hours and hours of cheerful volunteer work went into the planning and execution of this big day. This event could not have happened without the generous support of the sponsors, wineries, breweries, restaurants, vendors, fantastic chefs and ticket purchasers, all for the love of the good life in our abundant region. Our hats off to you all!

 Breaking News!

 Ohana Harbor Coffee Company Sponsoring Complimentary Festival Shuttle Service, provided by Around the Sound Transit!

Parking for the Wine and Food Festival will be available at the Medical Center at 6401 Kimball Drive, as well as the parking lot at the downtown Columbia Bank on Judson Street (the old QFC parking lot).  Around the Sound transit will offer free shuttle service to and from these sites to the Wine and Food Festival from 11:00 am – 7:00pm for your convenience.  At the Medical Center, you will find the pick up location at the entrance facing the park and ride.  At the Downtown Columbia Bank on Judson Street, the pick up point will be in the parking lot near the Soundview entrance.  Special thanks to Ohana Harbor Coffee Company for sponsoring the shuttle service.

Live Auction

Here are some of the fabulous items up for auction during the festival!

Two Sous Chef positions during the Celebrity Chef Challenge

Two Judge positions during the Celebrity Chef Challenge

Exclusive reception with Chef Holly at Morso with fine bubblies and hearty appetizers at 6:30 immediately after the festival

Harbor party for 10!  Enjoy a Destiny Harbor Tour followed by appetizers at Anthony’s

Complete set of professional stainless cookware from Culinary Institute of America

… and much more!

 

CUSHMAN TRAIL CONNECTION TO HARBORVIEW PLANNED 
Wine & Food Festival to Raise Funds for Project

A beautiful 1,900 foot paved trail is planned to connect the Cushman Trail with Harborview Drive in the Museum District.  The will allow users of the current trail to enjoy forest and harbor vistas on their way to the downtown waterfront area where they can continue their walk or run.

The Gig Harbor Historic Waterfront Association (GHHWA) has worked with Rotary and the City of Gig Harbor for over two years in planning this improvement.  The construction will involve a public-private partnership over the next two to three years.  Funds will be raised in the community and significant donated labor is expected.  Cost is estimated at $101,000 including the value of donated labor.  The trail will be on City property and on an expected easement along the edge of the Haven of Rest property.  Property owners Bob and Sharon Glass have been very supportive of this project.

A booth at the Gig Harbor Wine and Food Festival (July 14th, noon to 5 pm) will describe the proposed trail.  The GHHWA has also announced that $10 per ticket (purchased after June 15th) will be donated to the project by the Glein and Morris Foundations.  This generous donation will generate an initial fund of up to $5,000 for the project.  Tickets can be purchased on the website www.harborwineandfoodfest.com or by calling the GHHWA office at 253-514-0071.

“This is the kind of project Rotary likes.  Brian Callaghan of our club has donated engineering design services and our many Rotarians stand ready to help the community with volunteer efforts” said Mike Pinch, President of the morning Rotary club.  Chuck Meacham of the GHHWA economic development committee has been coordinating with the City staff on design, environmental and easement issues.

The Gig Harbor Historic Waterfront Association is a Main Street™ program with a mission to “promote economic vibrancy while preserving the character of the downtown waterfront area”.  There are three Rotary clubs in Gig Harbor with combined membership of 2oo persons.  Their motto is “Service above Self”.

The GHHWA and Rotary encourage you to attend the Wine Festival and visit the trail booth to learn more.  Volunteer help and donations will be welcome.

BUY YOUR TICKETS!

Buy your tickets for the July 14, 2012 Gig Harbor Wine & Food Festival today by clicking on “tickets” above.  You can also pre-register for the many different class options offered throughout the day.

The 3rd Annual Gig Harbor Wine & Food Festival
Saturday, July 14, 2012

Gig Harbor presents its 3rd Annual Wine and Food Festival, located on the historic waterfront in this beautiful maritime community. The 2012 Gig Harbor Wine & Food Festival presented by the Gig Harbor Historic Waterfront Association, will take place on the grounds of Gig Harbor’s Harbor History Museum.

Festival Highlights:

  • Grand Tasting tent with wineries and select fine restaurants and food purveyors

  • Wide selection of educational offerings including wine seminars, cooking demonstrations and more

  • Book signings by well-known chefs and authors

  • Celebrity chef appearances and cook-off challenge

  • Gorgeous location overlooking Gig Harbor Bay

  • Opportunities to bid on amazing dining packages, insider experiences and many other luxury items

To see images from the sold out 2010 Festival, click here. 

The Wine and Food Festival organizers have received the “Outstanding Achievement in Promotion” award. To read the article click the link below (will open in .PDF)

Gig Harbor Wine and Food Festival Award