Wine Jazz & Pops Festival Has New North Strabane Location

The Washington Wine Jazz & Pops Festival will be right in our backyard this year—with North Strabane Township Municipal Park serving as its backdrop.

The third annual, two-day event kicks off Saturday afternoon, with food, music and tastings from eight area wineries.

Advance tickets for the event are on sale now for $20, and are valid for entrance and wine tastings. That's a $5 savings over what you'll pay for a ticket at the gate, organizers said.

All proceeds from the event will go to the Mental Health Association of Washington County.

Hours are noon to 7 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Once there, participants will be able to enjoy tastings from these area wineries:

• J&D Cellars, Eighty Four - This is a boutique winery specializing in small batches.

• The Winery at Wilcox, Allegheny National Forest region - Sample wines from a huge selection.

• Kavic Winery - This winery uses grapes that are grown locally.

• Greenhouse Winery, Irwin - This winery offers more than 20 wines.

• Christian Kay Winery, Chalk Hill - This outfit boasts award-winning wines.

• Courtyard Winery, Lake Erie region - This winery will have both traditional and unique wines for participants to taste

• Ripepi Winery & Vinyard, Monongahela - What began as a few rows of grapes morphed into a 10-acre vinyard.

• Thisthlethwaite Vinyard, Jefferson - This is a new addition from Greene County.

That's the wine portion, but what about the jazz?

Here's a list of who will be performing and when:

Saturday, Aug. 3
1 p.m. - Washington Jazz Orchestra
2 p.m. - Mark Lucas
3 p.m. - Maureen Budway
4 p.m. - Joy Ike
5:30 p.m. - Marion Meadows

Sunday, Aug. 4
12:30 p.m. - Washington Symphony Orchestra
2 p.m. The Michael Passalaqua Blues Band
3 p.m. Cello Fury
4 p.m. Bill Deasy

North Strabane Township Parks and Recreation Director Greg Sulc encouraged folks planning to attend to bring a blanket or chair for the event, which will be held rain or shine.

And he added that he hopes the festival will be held at the multi-million park for years to come.

"It's an honor and a privilege to have it here," he said.

Editor's Note: For more information or to purchase advance tickets, click here. Questions? Call 724-225-2061.