Art, Wine and Wheels equals a great local community event

If you really want to get a feel for what it’s like to be a part of Mariposa County, an upcoming event is just the ticket.

The annual Art, Wine & Wheels Festival is all set to go on Saturday, May 23, on the lawn at the historic Mariposa County Courthouse.

“This is an enjoyable, family-friendly event,” said Noel Morrison, public relations official of the Rotary Club of Mariposa Yosemite, the group that annually presents the festival.

The event runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the courthouse and there will be a wide variety of activities, vendors and much more.

Given the name, wine is a natural feature of the event. For a $20 donation, people age 21 and up and purchase six tastings of wine, beer or cider at the event.

Otherwise, Morrison emphasized there is no admission charge to the festival. She also stressed it is put together entirely by volunteers from Rotary, who spend an entire year planning for the event.

One of the most unique features at the festival is there are tables set up around the courthouse lawn, symbolic of days of old when people gather to just chat and catch up with old — and new — friends.

The art

The festival is renowned for featuring a wide variety of artists and this year is no exception.

Morrison said all of the artists are scheduled and will have booths at the festival.

She also emphasized it won’t be for people to just buy art, either. Though they can certainly do that, Morrison said there will be many live art demonstrations.

“People can engage with the artists,” she said.

One featured artists is Tyler Tomasello who will be demonstrating historic tintype photography. Tintype photography is a 19th-century “wet plate” process creating one-of-a-kind positive images on blackened metal plates.

Jan DeShera will be showcasing weaving, along with interactive stations for families and youth.

“I’m especially excited about how interactive it is this year,” said Morrison. “It feels less like a traditional event and more like a shared community experience, which is exactly what Rotary is all about.”

There will be a “diverse group of local and regional artists,” said Morrison. “It’s not just something to attend, it’s something to participate in.”

Many vendors will be in booths around the festival grounds offering a wide variety of goods.

The wine … and more

Of course, what would this festival be without a wide variety of spirits to whet the whistle while visiting?

Many tastings will be available, she said.

Those include booths by Sierra Cider, The Alley, Wicked Mead, Casto Oaks Winery, The Local Grape, Twisted Cedar Tap House and Smokin’ Oak BBQ.

There will wines from the Sierra foothill region featured, along with cider and beer.

As a feature this year, 1850 Brewery, also a sponsor of the event, will be dedicating a special brew at the festival.

Led by head brewer Rico Sanchez — who brings over a decade of brewing experience — the team has crafted something special for the festival.

They will be releasing their Seasonal Reva SIPA. A SIPA (Session IPA) offers “all the bold hop character you love, with a lighter, more ‘sessionable’ feel,” according to the brewery. “This year’s brew features passion fruit along with mosaic and calypso hops, which shine notes of citrus, fruit and resin.”

The local business will have its portable trailer at the festival for people to be the first to try this new creation.

The wheels

Originally, the gathering was just art and wine, but in recent years, the “wheels” were added and have been a rousing success.

Classic automobiles will line the street next to the courthouse and Morrison said all of the cars will be from this region, making it a true local car show.

In addition, Joanna Ransom of the Mariposa Museum and History Center will be bringing a large American flag and creating a photo booth of sorts for the vehicles.

Awards will be given for first, second and third place as well as best of show.

In addition, a special vehicle will be featured at the show that denotes local history as well as the 100th anniversary of Highway 140.

The Mariposa Museum and History Center has a 1929 Dodge Roadster which was original to Yosemite National Park.

Throughout the 1930s, people would get into a car and follow the roadster behind the chief naturalist who would get out at various stops and showcase the sites.

Morrison said plans are in the works to have the car, on special loan from Yosemite, on display at the festival to highlight the anniversary of the road and as a reminder to people of the importance of Yosemite.

So much more

There will much more happening, as well, including a raffle with many prizes.

Raffle tickets are $5 for six, $10 for 15 or $20 for 40, said Morrison.

The prize list is extensive and ranges from carved ducks to a picnic table to a night at Tenaya Yosemite to a basket from Chocolate Soup. And much more.

There will also be food vendors set up along the street between the library and the courthouse.

Offering food will be Matsumoto Samurai Kitchen, All About the Worst, L&J’s Tacos, The Lemon Drop bites and beverage trailer and the 1850 Brewery trailer.

The youth will also enjoy various games including ring toss and can knockers among others. Those are being organized by the Mariposa Museum and History Center.

Throughout the day, there will be music performed by Blue Skies Quartet, a group that has been entertaining the crowd at Art, Wine & Wheels for years.

The Mariposa Friends of the Library will also be conducting their spring book sale during the festival.

A good cause

For Morrison, the Art, Wine & Wheels Festival is a time for the community to come together, enjoy fellowship and have fun.

“Whether you’re coming for the wine, the art, the cars, the music or just to meet with your friends and neighbors, Art, Wine & Wheels is one of those events that really showcases the spirit of the Mariposa community,” she said.

And it all goes for many good causes in the community.

The Rotary Club of Mariposa Yosemite is known to support many important programs, one of the biggest being scholarships to graduating seniors.

They also provide bus shelters in the county, sponsor the Christmas Village, support the fight against polio, sponsor the Little Free Libraries program and much more.

Morrison also emphasized they are “always recruiting members.”

“We have a lot of fun,” said Morrison.

Anyone interested in having some fun and joining the local club should visitmariposayosemiterotary.org for more information.