The Wolcott Chamber of Commerce and the Wolcott Lions Club will host the first Central New York Wine and Jazz Fest.

The event is set for Aug. 1 from 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. in two locations: Main Street and Northup Park, said Lion Mike Bettis. The event will bring together some of the finest growers and wine producers in the region.
"We wanted to try something new. The wine and jazz fest will help us promote agri-tourism and support our local wineries. There are new wineries in the area and this is a great way to showcase them, as well as many others in the central New York wine region."

The wineries will line Main Street, which will be closed to traffic, and offer tastings, as well as bottles for sale. Quite a few wineries have expressed interest in participating; contracts and information are just now starting to be sent out. In addition to the wineries, there will be upscale vendors set up for the fest and will be featured in the park. Food vendors offering specialty cheese and chocolates are scheduled to come from as far away as Rochester and Syracuse.

The music will be provided by Nancy Kelley, ESP Jazz of Syracuse, Jeff Sawyer and Marty Robbins and will be performed throughout the day. 

The date, Aug. 1, does not conflict with any of the other town or village celebrations in the area which adds to the potential for the wine and jazz fest to be extremely successful.

"So many people I've spoken with have been very happy and positive," Bettis said. "This will bring people into the community, and we can only grow from it, enhance it and make it a tradition."

Swedish Hill Winery in Romulus, the owners of Barbara Jeans' and Penguin Bay wineries, intend to participate in the event. The winery operates a tasting room and gift shop at Barbara Jean's on Route 414 in North Rose.
Swedish Hill owner Cindy Peterson said participation in the event would bring good exposure for the winery and its connection to Barbara Jean's.

Bettis said several other wineries have been just as enthusiastic. More information regarding the festival may be obtained by calling Bettis at 315-587-2483 or by email at mikebettis@hotmail.com