Ashtabula Campus Wine and Food Celebration Proceeds Benefit Scholarship Fund

---

The Biscotti Family Winery had a booth at the 2004 Ohio Wine and Food Celebration on the Ashtabula Campus. Biscotti's elderberry wine received the People's Choice award at last year’s celebration.

It’s part scholarship fundraiser, part outdoor wine-tasting party, and it’s always a good way to spend a summer afternoon. Kent State University Ashtabula will hold its fourth annual Ohio Wine and Food Celebration Saturday, June 25, from noon to 9 p.m. on the campus north lawn.

This celebration is a unique way of raising funds for deserving students. There will be live music, artisans showing and selling their wares, food from local restaurants, cooking demonstrations, space to enjoy a game of bocce and, of course, samples of the best vintages from Ashtabula County wineries.

Tickets are $15 in advance (until noon Friday, June 24) and can be bought at the campus bookstore and participating wineries. Tickets will be $18 at the gate. The price of admission includes entrance to the event, wine sampling and a souvenir wine glass (while supplies last), live music from the stage and access to food, artisans and other activities. Once you have tasted all you want, full glasses of wine will be available for purchase. You may buy full bottles on the way out from the Wine Store. For those who prefer, nonalcoholic beverages will be available, including grape juice. Food is not included in the admission price.

A view of the north lawn from the Remax balloon during the 2004 Ohio Wine and Food Celebration at the Ashtabula Campus.

Wineries that have participated in the past include: Biscotti Family Winery in Conneaut, Chalet DebonnÉ Vineyards in Madison, Ferrante Winery & Ristorante in Geneva, Lakehouse Inn in Geneva-on-the-Lake, Laurello Vineyards in Harpersfield, Markko Vineyards in Conneaut, Old Firehouse Winery in Geneva-on-the-Lake, Tarsitano Winery in Conneaut and Virant Family Winery in Geneva.

The Elderberry Wine from Biscotti’s received last year’s “People’s Choice” Award.

Music for the day includes:

• 1 to 3 p.m. - Roberto Ocasio Latin Jazz Project
• 3:30 to 6 p.m. - Alex Bevan
• 6 to 7 p.m. - Renaissance Choir
• 7 to 9 p.m. - The Vibe

Proceeds from the weekend will be added to the new community-generated scholarship fund to help students on the Ashtabula Campus who do not normally qualify for scholarships. The campus has a large under-funded student population consisting of many older students and those taking upper-division classes. Funds that go into the Community Scholarship Fund are intended for this use.

Visit www.ashtabula.kent.edu and click on “wine & food” under “public events” for information on participating wineries, music lineup, directions to the campus and ticket information.

- Frank Vaccariello