It’s just one of “those” events in Mariposa County.
“And it’s all for a great cause,” said Noel Morrison, the publicity chairperson for the Mariposa Yosemite Rotary Club’s annual Art, Wine & Wheels Festival.
This year’s festival, which will be on Saturday, May 23, will mark 20 years of celebrations on the lawn of the historic courthouse in Mariposa. It will be from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The event features many activities, from the vintage car show to the varied artwork on display to food vendors and — wine.
The wine at this year’s festival will be varied, as well.
This year’s Art, Wine & Wheels will feature a diverse lineup of wineries from across the Sierra Foothills and Central Coast, offering guests the opportunity to sample a wide range of award-winning vintages and distinctive regional styles.
Participating producers include Casto Oaks Winery, Sierra Cider, Cardella Winery, Heritage Oak Winery, Tobin James Cellars, Papagni Wines, Newsome Harlow Wines, and Sculpterra Winery & Sculpture Garden. Local favorites The Local Grape and The Alley will also be pouring and supporting the event experience.
“Their participation helps make Art, Wine & Wheels one of Mariposa County’s signature community celebrations,” said Morrison.
And even though wine is one of the features, Morrison stressed this festival is for people of all ages.
“It is a free, family friendly event,” she said.
The event is free to enter. For those 21 and over, they can choose to purchase a commemorative wine glass for $20, which gives them the opportunity to sample up to six wines at the festival.
Morrison said the festival began as just art and wine but has expanded over the years, including the addition of the classic car show, which has drawn a lot of interest.
“It brings car enthusiasts,” said Morrison, “who share their unique vehicles and stories. It is a different audience.”
And those different audiences mingle during the event, swapping stories and simply hanging out and visiting with friends, neighbors and even newly made friends.
“This is a community gathering for people to visit,” said Morrison.
Tables with shelters are set up throughout the festival so people can enjoy wine, some food and some company. Music is also featured during the entire event.
“What a way to celebrate spring,” she said.
Besides the artwork that will be on display and for sale at the event, Morrison said there a lot of other crafts which will be at the festival. Those include local woodworking, photography, pottery and much more.
She did note they are still taking applications for artists and the car show organizers are signing up people for that part of the event.
In addition, she said sponsorships are still available for local businesses and individuals.
There will be food booths again this year, with all of them located along the street across from the library. The car show is on the other side of the courthouse on the street.
In essence, it is nearly an entire square block, including the streets, where people can enjoy an annual tradition in Mariposa.
Morrison emphasized it is one of Rotary’s biggest fundraising events of the year.
And that translates into so many things which benefit Mariposa County.
The local Rotary club is involved in a wide range of projects. That includes grants to local organizations, assistance through the Unmet Needs Committee for families impacted by disasters, school supply support, food assistance, the annual Christmas Village which is constructed each year (also at the courthouse), school bus shelters, Little Libraries and one of the biggest of all — scholarships for local students.
Of course, Morrison couldn’t conduct an interview without also pointing out the Mariposa Yosemite Rotary Club is always looking for new members.
“If you want to be involved, you can join,” she said.
She said with all of the projects and causes the club is involved with, there are plenty of opportunities for everyone.
“You can be part of making things happen,” she said. “And it is real fun, as well.”
For information about the club, including forms that can be filled out for the festival including the car show and booths, visit the rotary website at www.mariposayosemiterotary.org
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