The touch of autumn in the air over the weekend provided the setting for one of Geneva’s longstanding events – the Festival of the Vine – which ran from Friday to Sunday in the city’s downtown.
Now in its 43rd year, the festival continues to pull thousands of locals to the city as well as others who are discovering the wine festival and Geneva for the very first time.
Johanna Patterson, communications director for the Geneva Chamber of Commerce, said local residents counted down the days to the start of the fest.
“It’s interesting. We just spent some time going around town filming some videos and people were saying, ‘Oh, it’s Festival of the Vine weekend and it’s just my favorite time in Geneva,’” she said before the start of the festival. “I think it just has to do with the time of year mixed with the new season. The streets are closed, there’s wine, there’s bites of food. It’s just a really fun festival. It’s short but it packs a good punch.”
Dasha Zabara of Geneva, who works at Stockholm’s Restaurant and Brewery in the city as the front of the house manager, represented one of the numerous eateries on hand at the festival and declared the fall weather was perfect.
“I’ll take this over 90 degrees any day,” Zabara said as customers began to file in under a tent for a late lunch on Friday at the fest. “Other than the wind, today’s perfect and the crowds are starting to build.”
Many wine distributors were on hand with many boutique wines being offered at the fest.
Patterson said the event continues to give Geneva exposure.
“That’s always our hope,” Patterson said. “We hope that people will come and maybe see a store that they didn’t know was there or notice a restaurant they haven’t been to before.”
Lauren Perry of St. Charles and her husband came to the festival on Friday and said they were celebrating their anniversary. Having grown up in Geneva, Perry said she has “been coming here all of my life.”
St. Charles residents Andrew and Lauren Perry celebrate their anniversary Friday at Geneva’s Festival of the Vine. (David Sharos/For The Beacon-News)
“I lost count years ago. After all this time, I love Geneva and it’s the best place on Earth,” she said. “I love the atmosphere, running into people you know. It just never gets old. I love the wine and the music.”
Lauren’s husband Andrew Perry said he, in truth, prefers beer but that he was happy to make an exception and enjoy some wine with his wife.
“We’ve tried three types already. I like the history of Geneva and the atmosphere and from knowing my wife so many years I’ve come to like it more,” he said. “This festival is unique. It’s iconic – the start of fall and it kind of gets you ready for football season and it’s the best weather you can ask for.”
David Sharos is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
