Wine and Food Fair needs new venue

PROSSER, Wash. — The annual Wine and Food Fair, billed as the largest outdoor wine-tasting event in the state, must find a new home.

The Prosser School Board has decided not to allow organizers to stage the event at its Art Fiker Stadium.

At a regular meeting Tuesday night, board members denied an annual request from Wine and Food Fair sponsors for a waiver to a no-alcohol policy on school grounds.

Over several months this year, some Prosser-area residents have asked the board to reconsider what they call a mixed message of allowing alcohol on school grounds for the wine event while trying to teach kids of its dangers at other times of the year.

The fair, held the second Saturday of August, has been staged at the stadium for the past 27 years, bringing together as many as 30 wineries and 25 food service professionals to offer samples of their wares to the backdrop of live music.

Ticket sales have slumped in recent years, but the event has often sold out its 3,500 tickets. Ticket prices have fluctuated over the years, but cost $20 in advance last year or $25 at the gate. Those ticket prices were also in effect for this year’s event, which was scheduled for Aug. 8.

 Hotels in town typically book full while other events, such as an experimental fly-in at the airport, have sprung up to take advantage of the crowds.

Organizers of the food fair have not decided what to do next, though they may look for another venue, said Jim Milne, executive director of the Prosser Chamber of Commerce.