NEW HAVEN - The first-ever New Haven Food & Wine Festival featuring Wolf Blass wines will be held Wednesday at Pilot Pen Tennis presented by Schick, an Olympus U.S. Open Series event on the ATP and Sony Ericsson WTA Tour to be held August 15-23, 2008 at the Connecticut Tennis Center at Yale, it was announced today by Anne Worcester, tournament director.

  The Festival, which will feature 19 of New Haven's finest restaurants, will serve up a showcase of the city's international and eclectic cuisine and also offer a wine tasting with wine professionals from Australia's award-winning Wolf Blass wines. In addition, world-renowned chef, cookbook author and teacher Jacques Pepin will be on hand at the event.

  Participating in the festival are some of New Haven's finest establishments including 116 Crown (Wine/Small Plates Lounge), Barcelona (Spanish), Basta Trattoria (Southern Italian), Bentara (Spicy Malaysian), Bespoke (Modern American), Caseus (Fromagerie/Bistro), Central Steakhouse (Steak/Seafood), Chow (Dim Sum), Claire's Corner Copia (Vegetarian), Foster's (Modern American), Geronimo (Southwestern), Ibiza (Spanish), Miso (Contemporary Japanese), Pacifico (Nuevo Latino), Sabor (Nuevo Latino), Thali (Regional Indian), Thali Too (Indian/Vegetarian Cuisine), Union League Caf (Parisian Brasserie) and Zinc (Modern American).

  In addition to the New Haven Food & Wine Festival, two other "Special Access" off-court events fans can also purchase tickets to are the Vineyard Vines
  Advertisement
  Ladies Day Luncheon & Fashion Show hosted by Island Time and jewelry provided by Lux Bond & Green on Wednesday, August 20, from 11:30am - 1:00pm, which will include lunch and a fashion show in a private hospitality area, a box seat to the afternoon matches, gift bags and door prizes; and JoBella Spa Day of Beauty sponsored by Evian(R) Natural Spring Water on Thursday, August 21, from 10:00am - 3:00pm, which will allow patrons to choose from one of the spa services including a chair massage, express manicure and makeup touch-ups, and offer a Penny Preville Trunk Show sponsored by Lux Bond & Green, a spa lunch and a box seat for the day session.

  For a more information about these special events, other hot happenings, the tournament, how to become a volunteer or daily tickets, please call the Pilot Pen Tennis Box Office at 888/99-PILOT, 203/776-7331, or log on to www.pilotpentennis.com. DAILY SCHEDULE

  TODAY — ESPN Kids Day (Session 1) 9:00am - Fun-filled day of music, court games, giveaways, autograph sessions and appearances by the ATP & Sony Ericsson WTA Tour pros! Tickets start at $8 and include the day's matches. First 1,000 kids receive a cool goody bag.

  Monday, August 18 — Junior Team Day (Session 2) 11:30 a.m. — Junior team members are invited to enjoy a private Q&A session with an ATP and Sony Ericsson WTA Tour pro. Tickets are just $9 and include the day's matches. Contact your coach for information. Advance ticket purchase only Tuesday, August 19 — USTA Member Appreciation Day/Night (Sessions 4 & 5) — USTA members receive special ticket savings and VIP Hospitality from 4:00pm-6:00pm. League Day/Night (Sessions 4 & 5) - League members of both USTA and non-USTA leagues receive a price of $35 for box seat tickets ($65 value) for the sessions' matches. Contact your team captain for more information. Advance ticket purchase only. New Haven Register Night (Session 5) - First 1,000 spectators receive a fan. Girl Scout Night (Session 5) - All Girl Scouts are invited to enjoy a private Q&A session with a Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Pro. Tickets are just $9 and include the evening's matches. Contact your troop leader for more information. Advance ticket purchase only.

  Wednesday, August 20 — Vineyard Vines Ladies Day Luncheon & Fashion Show (Session 6) - See above in the release. New Haven Food & Wine Festival featuring Wolf Blass Wines (Session 7) - See above in the release.

  Thursday, August 21 — Evian(R) Natural Spring Water Day (Session 8) - All spectators will receive an Evian(R) Brumisateur facial spray compliments of Evian(R) Natural Spring Water. JoBella Spa Day of Beauty sponsored by Evian Natural Spring Water (Session 8) - See above in the release. Valspar Paint Performance Challenge (Session 8) - The 2nd annual Valspar Paint Performance Challenge will be held at eight Olympus US Open Series tournaments this summer and will encourage fans to test their accuracy skills for a chance to win a trip to Arthur Ashe Kids' Day at the US Open. Visit valspartennis.com for detailed information, a complete schedule and to play the online version of the Performance Challenge game. AT&T Night (Session 9) - The first 1,000 spectators receive a fan.

  Friday, August 22 — "Pilot Pen Think in Ink" Night (Session 11) - All spectators will receive a BeGreen pen compliments of Pilot Pen Corporation. Pilot BeGreen - Positive with the Planet!

  Saturday, August 23 — Join us for the Road Trip to the US Open (Sessions 12 & 13) - All spectators receive a special ticket offer from the USTA - two (2) US Open tickets for the price of one (1) for the day sessions Tuesday, 9/2 through Thursday, 9/4. Schick Day (Session 12) - First 1,000 spectators receive a special giveaway. Michelob ULTRA Night (Session 13) - Enjoy a LIVE music concert featuring The Sellouts from 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. prior to the evening's matches.