Summer Wine Fest on tap

Portales will get a taste of New Mexico Friday during Portales MainStreet’s annual Summer Wine Fest.

A fundraiser for the non-profit organization, the event, cosponsored by First Community Bank, gets under way at 7 p.m. at The Ice House, 208 N. Ave. A. The $25 per person ticket price includes food, music, art viewing and a sampling of New Mexico wines from St. Clair Vineyard of Deming.

Portales MainStreet president Danny Woodward said the group has been holding the twice-a-year wine fests for close to five years in Portales.

“It’s grown over the years,” Woodward said. “We actually did it to promote another activity downtown and to highlight New Mexico wines.”

Woodward says the bonus is that the event has grown enough that it’s now a good fundraiser for MainStreet’s downtown rejuvenation and recruitment projects including renovation of the historic Yam Theater and Portales Inn, the facade improvement program that coops with businesses needing help giving their business front a facelift.

“We don’t have a real large budget as far as a non-profit organization,” Woodward said. “We’ve got a hands-on board that likes to roll their sleeves up and do events like this though.”

Woodward says most importantly the wine fest is a nice relaxing evening to just visit with friends and neighbors.

Fellow MainStreet board member Carol Cotter agrees that the fest is all about fun.

“It’s fun,” Cotter said. “I think everybody getting together and promoting MainStreet is the most important thing.”

Cotter, who is also a caterer, promises a variety of appetizers for the event.

She said smoked salmon spread on ciabatta bread, goat cheese balls rolled in crushed pistacios, veggie platters and cheese trays are included on the menu.

“I have one appetizer I call Steve Doerr’s Cheese Ball because when I don’t make it he gets upset with me,” she explained of the local attorney.

According to Woodward this summer’s fest was moved back to August to give Eastern New Mexico University students’ parents from out of town a chance to get to know the community while they’re in town getting their student settled in.

You must be at least 21 years old to participate in the wine tasting. For tickets and information call Portales City Hall at 356-6662.

Fast Facts

What: Summer Wine Fest

When: 7 p.m. Friday

Where: The Ice House, 208 N. Ave A

Tickets: $25, available at Portales City Hall

Information: 356-6662