Flashing lights, cacophonous noise, jamming beats, free flowing wine, crowds, and every kind of food imaginable. Oh, and gigantic, glowing hot air balloons. It’s that time again! Temecula’s annual Wine & Balloon Festival. Is it possible it could be bigger and better than ever?! Over 20 years in the running and a resounding YES! The festival planning committee keeps adding more features and improving conditions in order to enhance the attendee’s experience. ( I especially appreciate the water truck sprinkling away to keep the dust at bay!)
Last night the merriment opened with the smooth sounds of Ambrosia on the main stage, looking and sounding better than ever, warming up the crowd for the incomparable Dennis DeYoung and the music of Styx. DeYoung found his groove early when he opened with “Come Sail Away” and continued creating a smash performance with more of Styx’s greatest hits of all time including, “Mr. Roboto,” “Too Much Time on My Hands,” and rounding out the evening with a beautiful rendition of “Babe I Love You.” I swooned! DeYoung’s voice was as fresh and lively as it was 30 years ago when they hit the scene. His performance delivered and delighted the throngs as he dished out humorous old-man quips telling fans that his jeans were pulled all the way up to here (pointing to his chest) under his jacket and a crack or two about his prostate. If you check out their official fan page, you’ll find that they have their own brand of coffee! http://www.styxworld.com/
If you haven’t been to the festival ever or since the earlier days, especially if you’re a local, you owe it to yourself to get out there and see what the buzz is all about. Row after row of decorated booths boasting of Temecula’s finest wineries where you will meet celebrated winemakers and family members. Talk to them up close and personal. Find out their stories and learn their secrets to success. For the more discerning wine goers, there’s even a premium flight of wine tasting available this year. Get into the cabana club and chillax under cover with members of the bands and other festival VIP’s! Indulge AND give to a good cause with the Red Cross annual Wine & Food Pairing event. Stroll amongst the hundreds of vendors showcasing the latest and greatest products that you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them! And, of course, there’s food galore….kettle corn, BBQ, cotton candy, funnel cakes, Greek, Mexican, Thai, ice cream, Italian, and on and on and on!!!
What are you waiting for? Quit reading this! Get off your duff and get to Temecula’s Wine & Balloon Festival ! Come early and stay late for the smash hits of Third Eye Blind. Look for me, I’ll be sporting a cowboy hat with flashing neon lights, a giant lightsabor, glowsticks, and a bedazzled wine glass hanging around my neck yelling “WHOOOO HOOOOO!”….or, not….you’ll never know if you don’t go!!
No comments:
Post a Comment