AND when it Pours…the glass is always half full.........

Hardly a single conversation starts around these parts in late May without someone wanting to know “How Did the Wine Festival Go?”

Well, thanks to our fantastic sponsors including Title Sponsors TDS Telecom, F&M Bank, our Champagne Sponsors Mt Juliet News / Lebanon Democrat and Chief Party Rental, our Merlot Sponsor Clipper Magazine, our Chardonnay Sponsors CedarStone Bank and Jackson Downs Wine & Liquors, our Zinfandel Sponsor One World Leasing, and our Patron Sponsors; Stallings Real Estate, Executive Title, and Allstate Insurance (Tina Taylor), the 6th Annual “A Toast to Tennessee” Wine Festival was another GREAT event.

For anyone that was there, it is hard to argue there is no doubt that the weather was less than ideal, but that did not keep hundreds of festival goers from having a fantastic time none the less. This year’s event saw a record number of wineries attend (21) and many vendors sprinkled along the walkways. David Hale once again supplied the music, and Tammy Algood and the University of Tennessee Department Agriculture once again hosted the free educational seminars.

We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to Gina Lackore and the staff at Nashville Shores for working under incredible pressure and stress to even make hosting the event possible.

Only 5 days prior to the event as they they surveyed all of the flooding to the park (as seen on all three of the local television stations), they informed us that 3 of the five tent areas were currently under water. As we collectively watched the skies and the Corps of Engineers slowly drained Percy Priest Lake, it all came together in the last day or so.

Once the festival was opened up and guests started enjoying the fruits of our labor, not to mention the fruits in the wine, all turned out fine and our Festival Glass remained half full! There was just no way that a little rain was going to spoil that day. Roaming around the festival this year were several television stations, various news reporters, several magazine writers, and a camera crew from Tennessee Crossroads working on a special production to be aired as part of their upcoming programming. An event like this does not happen with out the dedicated support of dozens of volunteers, several of which literally work from opening set up until close of tear down. You know who you are and we owe you a debt of gratitude we cannot repay; Thank You VERY MUCH!

For those of you reading this note and kicking yourself for not getting involved and participating like you had meant to; not to worry! The 7th Annual Wine Festival will be held at Nashville Shores on Saturday, May 15th, 2010 from 12:00 – 6:00 and sponsorship opportunities are already available! Make yourself a note when you are putting together your Christmas Shopping List; “Note to Self: Buy ALL of my friends, co-workers, employees, and best customers a couple of tickets to next year’s festival. Tickets to the event make perfect Christmas Gifts and it supports your Chamber of Commerce at the same time!

So see, when it comes to a wine festival, a good pouring is not all bad. If done right it keeps the glass at least half full. Cheers, Mark

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