The inaugural TowneBank Red Nose Wine Festival last Thursday launched a new event as part of the Christmas in July fundraising benefit for the Outer Banks Relief Foundation. Thankfully the rain held off, and cloudy conditions kept things cool and comfortable.

Marshes Light, downtown Manteo NC

As people milled about in a “Charleston” like setting, music played in the background. The performers included Mojo Collins, Laura Martier, Joe Mapp & The Coordinates, Ruth Wyand, and The Jazzmen. North Carolina wines were featured with Biltmore, Cauble Creek Vineyard, Childress Vineyards, Old North State Winery, Sanctuary Vineyards and Vineyards on the Scuppernong. Additional wines from around the world were provided by Mutual Distributing Company and The Wine Specialist of Kitty Hawk.

Miss Wine Bottle & Shearl Bell, Event Chairperson

There was delicious food from Black Pelican, Café Lachine, Ocean Boulevard and Ortegaz. And, making it a full-on and fun afternoon, there were little shops set up along the Boulevard – Jewelry by Gail, The Cottage Shop and Mothervine Nutraceuticals. Wine, music and shopping? Oh my!

The final word isn’t in on how much was raised for the Relief Foundation, but many of the people involved expressed their enthusiasm with the event. Said Luanne Hege (who had the original vision to make the Wine Festival a reality):

“Our event this past Thursday surpassed our wildest dreams; the weather, which had been flukey at best, settled down, the heat wave broke, and the thunderstorms stayed away.  The remarkable (thank you, Roland!) Mike Fitzwater and his group (Special Events) did an outstanding job.  The attendance, while under the optimistic 2000 that we kept thinking we’d have, was a very respectable 1390, with all cabanas and reserved tables sold out. (Indeed three of our cabana purchasers have already “signed up” for next year!)  Our site, the Marshes Light complex in Manteo, right on Shallowbag Bay, was a terrific venue, right on the water, provided a perfect canvas for our layout.”

It could not have been possible without the help of our volunteers!