By Terri Bryce Reeves, Times Correspondent
Thursday, November 4, 2010
SAFETY HARBOR — Wine lovers can eat, drink and be very merry Saturday — while still managing to make it home safely.
The ninth annual Safety Harbor Wine Festival, presented by Dimmitt Cadillac, is 5 to 11 p.m. in downtown Safety Harbor.
The street party features international wine samples for $3 to $5 a glass, food from area restaurants, and dozens of arts and crafts vendors.
"It's our most popular nonholiday, single-day event," said Joe Cooper, special events supervisor for the city.
He expects between 10,000 and 12,000 people.
"The weather is supposed to be beautiful," he said.
Live entertainment with local jazz, rock, blues and R & B bands will be on three stages — the Gazebo in John Wilson Park, a stage at Main Street and Seventh Avenue and one at Main and Fifth.
A Safe Rides Home program, sponsored by Ambassador Limousine and Sedan, will offer rides home for revelers who may overindulge. Rides are free for Safety Harbor residents; all others should stop by the booth for more information and pricing — or call and make arrangements in advance.
"This is the third year we've done the safe rides," Cooper said. "It works out well. They'll be able to accommodate you in any way you need that night."
Admission and parking for the wine fest are free.
Proceeds from the event will benefit local civic and charitable organizations, including the Safety Harbor Neighborhood Family Center, Safety Harbor Professional Firefighters, Magic Beans Village, VFW Post 10093 and the Safety Harbor Rotary Club Foundation.
"This year, we're set to pass a quarter-million dollars in terms of donations when combined with funds raised in the last eight years," Cooper said.