Florida A&M University to celebrate 13th annual Grape Harvest Festival

Florida A&M University to celebrate 13^th annual Grape Harvest Festival

A hesitant participant squeals with grapes under foot during the annual grape stomping competition at the Grape Harvest Festival.

TALLAHASSEE, FL – Florida A&M University (FAMU) will host the 13^th Annual Grape Harvest Festival and First Lady Vineyard Run/Walk on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2013 at the Viticulture and Small Fruit Research Center located at 6505 Mahan Drive in Tallahassee. This year’s theme is “Visions of Health and Wealth in the Vineyard”.

The First Lady Vineyard Run/Walk will kick off with registration at 7 a.m. and the race will begin at 8 a.m.  The Annual FAMU Grape Harvest Festival is a community event sponsored by FAMU and coordinated through its Center for Viticulture and Small Fruit Research.

“We invite the community to join us for an entertaining day of discovery and fun that helps to build stronger relationships between the university and the city of Tallahassee, while enjoying the fruits of the earth in the beauty of nature,” said Bobby Phills, festival coordinator.

This year’s festival will have an assortment of fun-filled amusements, educational displays and informative demonstrations for all ages. Some of the children’s entertainment includes pony rides, air bouncers and a petting zoo. Additional activities include: a hula hoop contest; grape throwing games; winemaking demonstrations/workshops; a health fair with exhibits from more than 30 local organizations such as the Bond Community Health Center, Leon County Health Department, Sickle Cell Foundation, and New Leaf Market; an invitational wine-tasting session featuring FAMU and other Florida commercial wineries; and an exciting and highly popular old-fashioned grape stomping contest beginning at noon.

Participants will have an opportunity to pick grapes at a specified time and place. Bags will be provided; but no buckets will be allowed. The festival promises to be jammed packed with fun-filled excitement for the entire family.

Admission is $5 per person and free for kids 13 and under. For more information, contact Angela Harper at (850) 599-3996.