The Franklin Wine Festival celebrates its 13th year this year, taking place on October 13. The event has raised more than $1.6 million to date. Each year, the festival selects a King and Queen of the Vines, a competition which is entering its seventh year and has raised more than $90,000 in total.
The 2017 Franklin Wine Festival Kings and Queens of the Vines royal court include; Andrew Bailey, John Bell, Christie Bowling, Leslie Glass, Harris Haworth, and Jessica Hopkins.
“This Kings and Queens of the Vines fundraising competition will have a near-immediate impact in the lives of children in our own community. It takes $1,500 to match a child with a mentor for one year. And it only takes one mentor to change a child’s life for the better,” commented Wendy Dyes, 2017 Kings, and Queens of the Vines Committee Chair for the Franklin Wine Festival.
“This year the candidates have such a great competitive spirit. They are going all out to raise funds for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee, and of course to win the bragging rights that come along with being crowned King or Queen of the Vines.”
The candidates will also be hosting a new Downtown Nashville Scavenger Hunt as part of this year’s efforts on Saturday, September 16, 2017, beginning at Cerveza Jack’s Nashville at 11 a.m. and concluding at the George Jones Museum at 2 p.m. Registration for that event is available at www.scavengerhunt.kintera.org.
The ultimate coronation of each respective King and Queen will happen during a live ceremony at the Franklin Wine Festival Grand Tasting on Friday, October 13, 2017, at the Factory at Franklin. The event is presented by Cool Springs Wines and Spirits and supported by Nissan.The Franklin Wine Festival features more than 300 wines, samples from Middle Tennessee’s best restaurants, an artisan Biergarten, a silent auction, and live entertainment on multiple stages. Tickets for the October 13 Grand Tasting, which will include the crowning of the new King and Queen, are available at www.FranklinWineFestival.com.
The funds raised by the Franklin Wine Festival events will be used to serve more children in Middle Tennessee with a mentor through Big Brothers Big Sisters programs. Children with a mentor make better, safer choices in life which in turn reduces crime improves graduation rates, and lays the groundwork for an overall economic benefit to the Middle Tennessee community.
For more information about the 2017 King and Queen of the Vines Royal Court, visit www.FranklinWineFestival.com.