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Taste of Pennsylvania Wine and Music Festival at York Expo Center adds a VIP hour, beer garden

Posted: 05/16/2012 01:44:26 PM EDT

Pick up some wine this weekend at the York Expo Center. (FLIPSIDE STAFF FILE )

What does it take for a successful wine and music festival? Brian Dudley knows. Live music, wineries from across Pennsylvania and - hopefully - good weather will come together Saturday and Sunday at the fifth annual Taste of Pennsylvania Wine and Music Festival.

Dudley began the festival in 2008 as a way to raise funds for the Sons of the American Legion Post 403, Glen Rock.

His nephew, Matthew Davis, jumped on board as the head of graphics and marketing, and created a logo and brand to distinguish Taste of Pennsylvania from other festivals.

Five years later, "everything you see now is the same as it was," Dudley explained. "We've just added a few pieces. It grows every year as we grow with more guests."

From 1 to 6 p.m. on both days, guests can head to the York Expo Center to enjoy samples from 20 Pennsylvania wineries, hear live entertainment and browse local craft and business vendors. Tickets, which include a souvenir wine glass, are $20 at the gate or $15 online prior to the event.

One of the festival's main goals is to showcase what wineries are doing across the entire state.

"When this all started, I approached wineries that I knew personally," Dudley said. "But that, of course, has continued to build. Every year we're getting a wider reach."

New this year is the Apple Automotive VIP hour from noon to 1 p.m. Saturday, when ticketholders can talk with the wineries in a less-crowded atmosphere.

"We just know those who really enjoy wine like

that opportunity to spend time with the wineries and talk with them (one on one)," Dudley said.

The festival had a separate VIP area last year, but Dudley said it didn't work out as well as they'd hoped. Instead, patrons had said they'd prefer a time without the biggest part of the crowd. The VIP hour will be limited to 300 to 400 guests, depending on demand.

Once the VIP hour ends, Davis estimates they'll see nearly 5,000 people over both days.

"Last year, even when it called for bad weather, I think we pulled in maybe 3,200, maybe 3,500," Davis said. "If we have good weather, we'd expect to hit 5,000."

For those who'd prefer a pint over a glass of pinot grigio, Taste of Pennsylvania is also offering a beer garden for the first time this year. From 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, the Yorktoberfest Beer Garden will feature beers from breweries across the state.

Originally, the beer garden was slated to be part of the daytime event, Davis said. But he and Dudley chose to separate it so it didn't compete with the wineries.

"We're trying to do both things," Davis said, adding that they hand-select the beer so there is a wide

variety.

In the festival's past years, there had already been a free after-event with local bands and music. Wine is still the festival's focus, Dudley said, but adding a beer garden at night was just a logical extension.

Music Saturday night will be provided by MyRuralRadio.com, and is free and open to the public. Tickets for the beer garden, which include a souvenir glass, are $15.

During the day Saturday and Sunday, live music will be provided by The Lone Wolf Project, The Substance, Innuendo and Mike Miz.

"We have a lot of bands approach us, and some that we just really like," Dudley said. "We always try to bring them in the next year and keep the music mixed up."

Since the beginning, Taste of Pennsylvania has met and exceeded his expectations, Dudley said. His goal for the festival is to raise $10,000 for the Sons of the American Legion.

"For me, it's always been about giving back," Dudley said. "And the more people we're able to attract, the more we're able to give."

- Sarah Chain, Flipside staff

If you go

What: Fifth annual Taste of Pennsylvania Wine and Music Festival

When: 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; the Apple Automotive VIP hour runs noon to 1 p.m. Saturday; the Yorktoberfest Beer Garden runs 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday

Where: York Expo Center, 334 Carlisle Ave., West Manchester Township

Tickets: Single-day tickets are $20 at the gate or $15 online and at Central PA Shurfine locations, includes a souvenir wine glass; weekend passes are $30 at the gate or $25 online; VIP tickets for Saturday are $35 at the gate or $30 online and include free gifts and a T-shirt; designated driver tickets are $10 and include water and a T-shirt; beer garden tickets are $15 and include a souvenir glass; general admission is free

Details: For details or to purchase tickets, visit www.yorkwinefest.com