Spring Break
Downtown Bryan festival draws statewide attention
The third annual Texas Reds and Grapes Festival starts Friday, June 19. Live music, a steak cook-off and wine tasting highlight the events of the weekend.
By: Alex Worsham
Issue date: 6/18/09 Section: News
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The third annual Texas Reds and Grapes Festival, a free public event, will kick off Friday with live music.
"Midnight Express will open for Big Otis," said event coordinator Gwynne Shillings. "Big Otis is more of an all around R&B rock and Midnight Express is more classic rock."
More than 20 wineries from Texas will be competing in a taste-off.
"We'll have wineries from all over the hill country and Dallas and some from the bluebonnet trail," Shillings said. " You can purchase glasses of wine or you can purchase a bottle."
Every wine is worth tasting, she said.
"[The wineries] are all great. They're all different," Shillings said. "Of course we have the Messina Hof from here in town. They're here every year."
The Messina Hof staff will shuttle guests Saturday for free tours to the Messina Hof winery, located on Reliant Road in Bryan.
"We like to have a variety out there because not everybody has the same taste," Shillings said. "There's something there for everybody who likes wine."
More than 20 teams will compete at 11 a.m. Saturday in the steak cook-off, including last year's best of show winner Hometown Gang from Bryan, Texas.
Local celebrities, including elected officials, will be judging the steaks, said April Saginor, Bryan communications director and a 2008 steak cook-off judge.
"You don't know you can cook steak that differently. They were all very different," she said. "Some were cooked in wine or seasoned with different seasonings or have special cuts. They're all very unique."
A Kids Zone and Grape Stomp will be open until 7 p.m. Saturday. The Grape Stomp competition costs $5 and proceeds benefit the Texas Reds 4-H scholarship program. The champion stomp-off will begin at 6:30 p.m. and prizes include passes to Texas amusement parks.
"If you haven't done [the Grape Stomp], you should," said Darrell Lovelette, director of parks and recreation. "It's a lot of fun."
A big turnout is expected at the festival this year, Shillings said.
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