Festival Features New Wine Garden

New in 2011 at the 31st Marion Popcorn Festival is the Garden Within the Garden – a wine tent with a variety of activities slated for Friday and Saturday of the Festival.  The Wine Garden will be located inside the Center Street Beer Garden and will offer wine and imported beer from 3:00pm to close.

Entrance into the Wine Garden Friday and Saturday evening will be $5.00, and includes a 1st annual Wine Festival wine glass. 

The Center Street Beer Garden will be open 11:00 a.m. to close Thursday through Saturday, and continue to offer the traditional beverages with entertainment all three nights.  Entrance into the Center Street Beer Garden remains free.

From 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Garden Within the Garden Wine Tent, a wine tasting will take place.  Tasting tickets will be sold within the Wine Garden for $1 each, and tastings will range from 1 to 4 tickets.  Some of the wines available will be offered by Firelands Winery, Mon Ami Winery, Cupcake Winery, Rex Goliath, and Woodbridge. Wines may be purchased by the glass or bottle.  There will also be a Sangria Hut, and tapas plates will also be available with a list of wines to pair with these gourmet offerings.

The Festival is also offering patrons the opportunity to “host” their own personal table for six, which comes with invitations, custom printed wine glasses, and a gourmet cheese plate.  These tables must be reserved in advance by calling 740-225-1031, and the number available is limited.

The entertainment schedule in the Center Street Beer Garden and Garden Within the Garden Wine Tent is as follows:

• Thursday: 9:00 p.m. – close  Left of Center, Center Street Beer Garden stage
• Friday:  3:00 – 6:00 p.m.  Acoustic Sounds of Ben Osborne, Wine Garden
    6:00 – 9:00 p.m.  Juke Box Heroes, Wine Garden
    9:00 p.m. – close  One Ton Diesel, Center Street Beer Garden stage
• Saturday: 3:00 – 6:00 p.m.  Juke Box Heroes, Wine Garden
    6:00 – 9:00 p.m.  Acoustic Sounds of Ben Osbourne, Wine Garden
    9:00 p.m. – close  Left of Center, Center Street Beer Garden stage

For the full list of activities visit www.popcornfestival.com.