PHOTO: Coquitlam's Doris Mars, Karen Robins of Maple Ridge and Port Moody resident Kathy Podolski came to the Fraser Valley Wine Festival Nov. 7. It included a dress up photo booth by Dang Good Photos.
The Rotary Club of Langley Central is raising a glass to everyone who attended the 26th annual Fraser Valley Wine Festival.
Saturday evening’s attendees as well as everyone who has ever purchased a ticket to the club’s annual fundraiser have allowed the club to raise $1 million for charities and causes.
The final tallies are still being done, but the club knows it has hit the milestone.
And the Nov. 7 event was sold out, meaning hundreds of people gathered to sample an array of wines and beverages as well as enjoy gourmet goodies and entertainment.
The wine fest now pulls in participation from around the Lower Mainland. Coquitlam’s Doris Mars, Karen Robins of Maple Ridge and Port Moody resident Kathy Podolski came to Langley for the event.
In addition to enjoying a fun night out, they came for other reasons, including the casual atmosphere where there’s people in everything from bling to blue jeans.
“It’s a good variety of people,” said Podolski.
Mars looked forward to trying the local wines.
“What a night,” said Dorothy McKim, president of the Rotary Club of Langley Central. “Record crowds made for a festive feeling in Willowbrook Shopping Centre. The work that the wine festival committee put into this event resulted in a first class evening.”
Guests sampled more than 200 wines from around the world with several local wineries taking part again this year.
The wines were complemented by food from a dozen Langley restaurants.
“Nobody left the event hungry,” said Rotarian Calla Krause.
All the effort allows Rotary to support various causes.
In its 26th year, the wine and food tasting event is the premier fundraiser for the local service club.
This year, money from the wine festival is earmarked to create a customized sensory room for autistic kids at Options Community Services Langley office, as well as provide seed money for a program called Starfish, which helps feed needy children in town on weekends.
PHOTO: The Cactus Club's pineapple hoisin glazed short rib was prepped by Darrick LePage and Dustin Schroer.
PHOTO: Gabriel Jefferies served up Vista d'Oro's apple cider, and Murphy's Law white and red wines at the Fraser Valley Wine Festival.
PHOTO: Ben Johnson and Michelle Sanhera of BDO sold 50/50 tickets at the Fraser Valley Wine Festival.
PHOTO: Paul Coultura of BDO presented Rotary Club of Langley Central president Dorothy McKim with $15,000 to support the 26th annual Fraser Valley Wine Festival which was Nov. 7. Sponsor support means the club can raise more funds for community causes.