Wine and Jazz Fest draws hundreds

PUNTA GORDA -- Caroline Elkins swayed to the smooth cries of the saxophone, while her husband sipped a root beer.

The sunlight beamed on the line of folding chairs, forcing some to take refuge underneath an umbrella.

It didn't matter to Elkins.

The Fort Myers woman continued to dance, stopping only to sample the bounty of food and wine at her fingertips.

"This is great," she said.

Hundreds of residents -- young and old -- attended the annual Wine and Jazz Festival at Laishley Park Saturday. The event, now in its fourth year, featured wine from eight vendors and samplings from more than 25 restaurants.

"It's Punta Gorda's premiere event," said John Wright, president of the Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce.

For $75, residents could indulge at any of the tents, each offering a different dish or beverage.

The economy didn't seem to keep people away, either, as Wright expected attendance to reach 800.

Kim Thompson stood around a table with friends, giving cheers to the good food and company.

"I think it's a good deal, especially for everything you get," said the Venice woman, who was a first-timer at the festival.

Throughout the day, the crowd enjoyed the jazz stylings of entertainers such as Max McCann and the Displacements, and Mindi Abair.

For John Wolfinger, the event was just as good as when he attended last year.

"We would come back in a heartbeat," the Punta Gorda man said.