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By Erin Smith
While the morning air had a crisp feel to it, the atmosphere at Lu Mil Vineyard’s NC Grape Festival Saturday was one of fun and laughter. The well attended event had plenty to offer from the soft sounds of jazz music to the laughter of the Grape Stomp event.
Denise Bridgers estimated the crowd in attendance to be 2,500.
“I’m just thrilled. I think everything went well,” said Bridgers.
She explained that organizers changed the festival layout slightly, and it made a very positive impact.
Festivities kicked off with a pancake breakfast sponsored by the Dublin Boy Scouts.
The day continued with a food truck round up beckoning visitors with aroma of blooming onions, Collard Sandwiches, funnel cakes, fried Oreos, mini donuts, a variety of sandwiches and new this year was Carver’s Fish Farm providing fried shrimp and fried fish. Also, there plenty of vendors offering a wide array of items from clothing to handmade jewelry and, of course, fall and Christmas decorations for your home and yard.
The crowd favorite for the day was the Grape Stomp competition. Competitors young and old alike laughed, stomped and, in some cases, danced their way through a bucket filled with Muscadine grapes. The goal was to see who could coax the most grape juice from their bucket.
The winners of adult division were Ronald Hammonds in first place and Michael Baum in second place. In the kids division Nadya Colon placed first and Joshua James placed second.
The jazz band, “Three to Get Ready” entertained folks on Doc’s Deck near the gift shop. The soulful sounds wafted over the vineyard as festival goers walked through the many vendors and enjoyed a day of shopping on the grounds of Lu Mil Vineyard.
Olivia Alford said she has been to Lu Mil Vineyard in the past. She said she booked the Vineyard for the weekend and was enjoying the festival.
Jaquan Glover of Fayetteville said he was enjoying the festival with his family. He explained this was his first time attending the festival.
“I’m truly enjoying it,” said Glover.
The well attended festival was pronounced a success by all of the organizers.
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