Approximately 2,000 patrons passed through the gates of the 2019 Herndon Labor Day Festival. Photo by Mercia Hobson.
Approximately 2,000 people enjoyed the unofficial end of summer at the 2019 Herndon Labor Day Festival. Wine & Craft Beer Tasting in the historic downtown according to Julie Gibbons, Treasurer of the Herndon Woman's Club, one of the host organizations for the event. "I anticipate 2019 will exceed our 2018 attendance level," she said.
On Monday, Sept. 2, 2019, from 11 a.m.- 5 p.m., volunteers from Herndon Woman's Club and staff from Herndon Parks and Recreation Department worked in tandem and pulled off what patron Sarah Oberther, formerly of Herndon, described as "an event with small-town vibe, awesome music and amazing wine."
COMING TO THE EVENT since it resurfaced in the mid-1990s in a different form than its earlier years as a jazz festival, Oberther said she kept coming back. She commented that her husband loved how the current craft beer selection "keeps growing.” The festival offered samplings from eight craft breweries and brewing in addition to samplings from seven wine cellars, vineyards and wineries along with two ciders.
At the entrance gate, Pat Stark member of the Herndon Woman's Club, checked patron IDs to verify compliance with drinking age and provided identifying wristbands to patrons. “The crowds are great, and the weather is cooperating this year," Stark said. "This year, we have several repeat wineries, and our chairmen reached out to wine communities as far as Roanoke." She added that Virginia Eagle distributing Company LLC was the named local distributor for the event's featured craft beers.
Gibbons explained how the 2019 Herndon Labor Day Festival supported Woman's Club as it supported those less fortunate in the community. "We welcome everyone from the community as this a significant fundraiser for our organization which uses the proceeds to support school scholarships, donations to local charities such as LINK, Cornerstones and more," Gibbons said.
Down Lynn Street turned “festival mid-way,” Joe Gigliotti and Elena Anderson of Centreville and Todd Harden of Herndon sampled flights of wine from Rebec Vineyards out of Amherst, Va.
"We stick to a European style,” said Casey Clark of Rebec Vineyard. "Our winemaker is from Bulgaria and offers a unique Bulgarian-style wine, making tasters say, Wow," said Clark. A few booths down, Korakot Promsa-Ard from the locally based restaurant, A Taste of the World on Sunset Park Dr., Herndon, grilled teriyaki chicken thighs sending tantalizing wisps of grilled meat through the air.
THE FESTIVAL showcased two entertainment stages with live music, the Main Stage with performances by Great Wide Open: The Ultimate Tom Petty Experience and Leather and Lace: The Stevie Nicks Experience and the Acoustic Tent with performances by Among the Willows: Modern Folk, Dave Lange Trio: Hill Country Blues and Dave Goodrich: Soulful Acoustic Rock.
Jeff Bentley, representing Northwest Federal Credit Union, Presenting Sponsor for the festival for the second consecutive year, welcomed the community from the Main Stage." We are proud to support an event where part of the proceeds goes to the Herndon Woman's Club's scholarship program ... NWFCU isn't just another financial institution. Our, ‘Why,’ the purpose behind everything we do is ‘Together we serve and inspire to transform lives.’”
Bentley reminded the crowd that they welcome everyone back to their Herndon campus on Spring Street next May for the 40th annual Herndon Festival.