Pocono News Section

Poconos to Host Wine and Food Fest

Poconos to Host Wine and Food Fest - Wednesday, August 20, 2008 at 2:13PM EST

Reported by: Laurie Monteforte
Wednesday, Aug 20, 2008 @ 02:13pm EST
SHAWNEE ON DELAWARE, MONROE COUNTY - The Pocono Mountains are known for beautiful scenery, nature and outdoor activities. One group of people wants to add some things to that list...food and wine.

On Wednesday organizers of the Delaware River Wine and Food Festival announced their plans for their big event. It's a four day food festival based at the Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort.

"I'm sure they're gonna have to turn people away. There's gonna be so many people here," said Ellyn Schindler of Sanofi Pasteur.

It starts on September 18th. The Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau said tourism usually slows down around then. "On a weekend like this the only thing you're interfering with is college football in general," said Carl Wilgus of the Visitors Bureau.

The weekend will include activities like a guided mushroom foraging trip, a Quail hunt, a jazz brunch and a brew master for the day program.

The highlight will be a foodie fest. On the Saturday of the event. Shawnee's lawn will be covered with vendors offering more than 20 different food and wine pairings.

"This one seems to have captured a lot of people's imaginations, expecially out of the region," said Wilgus.

The New York Times featured the festival in its Sunday Magazine. Organizers hope to attract hundreds of tourists and some locals.

All of the proceeds from the festival will go to Monroe County Meals on Wheels. Vaccine maker Sanofi Pasteur will match whatever money the festival raises, up to $25,000.

"We have to remember that there are those in our community who wouldn't have the opportunity to go to this event or quite frankly wouldn't have this opportunity to feed themselves in a way that's nourishing," said Schindler.

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