Alamo Rotary invites everyone to come enjoy the 26th annual Alamo Wine and Music Festival it is hosting this year Saturday, Sept. 6, at Alamo Plaza. The event is also known as the Alamo Block Party, a place where people see neighbors they may only run into doing their weekly shopping at Safeway.

"It's become more popular from year to year because it's fun for the entire family," said Alan Fahrenkrog, the Alamo festival committee. "The event tends to promote Alamo as a center of family fun and activities."

There is no admission but all proceeds from the food and wine sales go to local school music programs, student leadership camps, the fight against polio and literacy programs.

"We are hoping for a record turn out which will produce much-needed assistance for our area schools," Fahrenkrog noted.

School music groups will provide live music during the event, which takes place from 2-11 p.m., including the Alamo Elementary School Choir, Stone Valley Middle School Jazz Band and both San Ramon Valley High School and Monte Vista High School instrumental and jazz bands.

"I think it's the most important thing to keep our community involved with what's going on in our music programs," said Cheryl Yee Glass, band director at San Ramon Valley High School Band. "We've been performing at the event as long as they've been putting one on."

Headlining the event will be the Fabulous Cruise Tones, playing a variety of songs from the late '50s up to the hits of today. Aja-Vu, will sing Steely Dan tunes, a combination of rock and jazz. This will be the 18th year for the Fabulous Cruise Tones to play under the stars and close out the event.

Vendors will be offering everything from Wente Vineyards wine, which can be purchased in a commemorative glass, or a cold beer to inexpensive hotdogs and chips for the kids. Children's activities include bounce houses and a rock climb at the play zone set up by the Mt. Diablo Regional YMCA and Alamo Park and Recreation.

Dinner tickets cost $17 for selections from Forli's, Faz and the Rotary BBQ barbecue. Music Festival polo shirts will also be for sale.

Towards the end of dinner the Alamo Rotary Club will announce its annual Citizen of the Year award, a person selected from many nominees who have been active in the community.

"It recognizes, encourages and fosters community service, in general, by advertising the good works of the year," said Fahrenkrog.

The award began in 1985, when Dr. Russ miller was named for the honor. Last year it was retired Deputy Fire Chief Chris Suter. Other recipients have been as follows:

1986 - "Dr. Don" Rose

1987 - Brian D. Thiessen

1988 - Andrew Young

1989 - Joan Buchanan

1990 - Bob Myhre

1991 - Wanda Lognecker

1992 - Claudia Mauzy Nemir

1993 - Virgie Jones

1994 - Mark Kahn

1995 - Bruce Marhenke

1996 - Russ Hagerstrand

1997 - Joan Benbow

1998 - Karen McPherson

1999 - Richard Delfosse

2000 - John Henderson

2001 - Diane Barley

2002 - Claudia Waldron

2003 - Rick James

2004 - Greg Schuyler

2005 - Mike Gibson

2006 - Don Morton

Also toward the end of the evening, drawings will be held for prizes including a Vespa and trips to Hawaii, Reno and Lake Tahoe.

Major sponsors include John Muir Hospital, Wells Fargo Bank, Morgan Stanley, the Bach Group of Orinda, Union Bank of California, the owners of Alamo Plaza, Colliers Corp. and Morgan-Bonanno Paving and Grading Inc. To become a sponsor, contact Bill Ferguson at 998-9724.

ROCK HEARTY AT ALAMO 'BLOCK PARTY'

What: 26th annual Alamo Music and Wine Festival

Who: Alamo Rotary

When: 2-11 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 6

Where: Alamo Plaza

Why: To raise money for school music programs - and for fun!