Though many of the features of the popular late summer event will still be happening — live music, vendor shopping, wine tasting, and of course, the grape stomp itself — state-mandated coronavirus restrictions have dictated a significant change in format.
"All tickets will be sold in advance, and online only," said winery coordinator Deb Krogsgaard. "It's also being limited to age 21 and up ... which means parents will need to get someone to watch the kids (i.e., leave them at home)."
In addition, they are only releasing 150 tickets for this year's festival, as opposed to the 300-plus that have been sold in years past; Krogsgaard said this restriction is being imposed in order to keep attendance under the state-mandated mark of 250 people for outdoor events. All ticket sales are final, as the event will be held rain or shine, she added.
Tickets are available at eventbrite.com, for $10 each; attendees must bring a printed copy of their e-ticket with them, or display it on their cellphone when entering the winery. Upon entry, each guest will be given with a commemorative wine glass at no additional cost.
Social distancing guidelines will be imposed, with tables kept at least six feet apart, and seating limited to groups of 4-6 people; Krogsgaard said that guests are also asked to bring along their own lawn chairs or blankets to sit on, as table seating will be limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. There will be no seating available inside the tasting room, and the upper level of the building will remain closed during the festival. Also, guests will be asked to wear their masks at all times when inside the building.
"Our gift shop will be open," Krogsgaard said, and guests will also be able to purchase drinks and make use of the restroom facilities inside the tasting room. All of the day's festivities will be taking place outdoors, however.
This includes live music from not just one, but two entertainers: Rick Adams will perform from 1 to 3:30 p.m., and Gordy "G.C." Christensen will take the vineyard stage at approximately 4:30 p.m., playing until at least 6:30.
In between, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., the Grape Stomp will take place. Unlike previous years, however, there will be no on-site registration; participants have been pre-selected.
"We have a group of women coming from Arizona to do the stomp," said Krogsgaard, noting that the group has been self-isolating together since the "coronatine" began.
The competition will consist of three heats, with the winners of the first two competing in the third heat to determine a champion. As in years past, there will also be a costume competition that is open to all festival attendees; as a nod to the global pandemic, this year's competition will also include a mask decorating category.
After the costume and grape stomp competitions have concluded, Christensen will take the stage and continue to perform until the crowd begins heading home; the gates will close at 7 p.m.
In between the festivities, there will be plenty of things to do to pass the time. Winery staff will be filling up those complimentary wine glasses throughout the day, and there will be a variety of vendors selling their wares in booths scattered throughout the vineyard.
"So far we've lined up Northwoods Food Factory (known for their fudge), Tupperware, and a couple of new ones this year, Epicure and Marie's Beading," said Krogsgaard, adding that she hopes to add a few more this week as well.
Drink tickets will be $6 apiece, or guests can choose from any of the winery's selection of in-house vintages for just $24 a bottle (wine club prices will not be honored during the festival, Krogsgaard noted).
More to come
For the first time ever, Richwood Winery will be playing host to the Lakes Area Women's Expo on Thursday, Sept. 17 (the event has been held at the Detroit Lakes Pavilion in years past). Tickets are being sold in two "waves," with the first group set to arrive at 2 p.m. and stay until 5 p.m. The second group will be asked to arrive at 5 p.m., with the gates set to close at 8 p.m. Tickets may be purchased online at www.detroitlakesradiomarketplace.com for $5 each.
The winery will continue to serve up live music every Saturday through the end of September, with Matt Dauner set to perform on Sept. 19 and Mike Morse on Sept. 26. An end-of-year celebration is set for Saturday, Oct. 17, with Gordy Christensen performing, and Richwood Winery will officially close for the season on Sunday, Oct. 18.
For more information, visit the website at www.richwoodwinery.com, or check out their Facebook page.
The Link LonkSeptember 07, 2020 at 07:00PM
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Richwood Winery to host 9th Grape Stomp Festival this Saturday — with a few restrictions - Detroit Lakes Tribune
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