Almaden Art & Wine Festival hits a home run at Almaden Lake Park

By Jeanne Carbone Lewis
Staff Writer

The Almaden Valley Women’s Club couldn’t have asked for a better day for the Almaden Art & Wine Festival held at Almaden Lake Park. And in total agreement were the thousands of visitors enjoying the festivities.

The weather was warm and over 79 artists and crafts booths were packed, as were the wine, beer and food concessions. And with main and children’s stages, there was a constant stream of entertainment for everyone young and old!

With their running shoes on and walkie talkies in hand, the dedicated Almaden Valley Women’s Club [AVWC] made sure everything ran smoothly and handled all situations with grace. The net proceeds (that benefit local nonprofits and scholarship funds) haven’t been tallied yet, but the ladies seem to think his may be their best year yet. Here’s to a job well done and a thank you to all the hardworking AVWC members and volunteers presenting another successful Almaden Art & Wine Festival!

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30th Annual Almaden Valley Art & Wine Festival

30th Annual Almaden Valley Art & Wine Festival, Sunday, September 17, 2006

The Almaden Valley Women’s Club presents the 30th Annual Almaden Valley Art & Wine Festival held on Sunday, September 17, 2006 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. This is the third year the festival will be held at Almaden Lake Park, near the intersection of Almaden Expressway and Coleman Avenue in San Jose’s Almaden community.

This free family oriented festival includes a juried arts and crafts show, premium wine and beer tastings, entertainment on two stages, and a special children’s area! All festival proceeds are donated back to the community as contributions to schools, charities, and scholarships for local students.

Each year, the Almaden Valley Women’s Club hosts a festival logo contest. This year we recognized Castillero Middle School’s Jazania Castaneda (pictured with art teacher Mrs. Gwen Anderson) as our 2006 Festival logo design winner. Her winning logo will be featured on festival merchandise and promotions, street banners signage throughout Almaden and surrounding areas.

Come hungry, as once again local community and school associations will be serving Chinese chicken salad, hot dogs, polish sausages, Jersey steak sandwiches, taco salads, pizza, hamburgers, pretzels, cookies, root beer floats, fruit smoothies and so much more!

Many local wineries will be pouring their premium wines including Bargetto Winery, Byington Vineyard & Winery, Cinnabar Winery, Clos LaChance Wines, Cooper - Garrod Estate Vineyards, David Bruce Winery, J. Lohr Vineyards & Winery, La Rochelle Winery, Leal Estate Vineyards, Thomas Fogarty Winery, Pelican Ranch Winery.

We will bring back our popular beer garden featuring ice-cold premium beers from local breweries including El Toro Brewery and BJs Restaurant and Brewery.

Don’t miss the exciting Children’s Area where the younger set can enjoy games, rides, crafts, and an art exhibit featuring work by local children.

Entertainment is hotter than ever this year. Featured on the Bob Lewis Main Stage will be the unique reggae styling of Red Di, Sage’s versatile top 40 sounds and the popular California country sounds of the David Osborne Band. We are also pleased to announce that Jessica Johnson and the magical sights and sounds of Hawaii with Hyla 'Ohana O Puananikauikawekui will be with us this year.

See handcrafted work from over 150 artists and craftspeople at this juried show. Wood, ceramics, jewelry, and more!

Press Release
Almaden Valley Women’s Club
Email: publicity@almadenwine.org

Almaden Valley Women’s Club Honors Several Almaden Students

SAN JOSE, CA – May 03, 2006. It was a big night at the general meeting of the Almaden Valley Women’s Club on May 2nd when the office of Councilwomen Nancy Pyle presented a sponsorship check to the club and where 9 local students were acknowledged for their achievements.

Daniella Polar from the office of Councilwoman Nancy Pyle presented the Women’s Club a sponsorship check for $2500 for this year’s Art & Wine Festival. The ongoing support of the city underpins the importance of the fund raising and community support this Club brings to the greater Almaden area.

Additionally, AVWC Scholarship Co-Chairs Pamela Eades and Karen Bratcher presented 8 high school students with this year’s scholarship awards based upon academic achievements, school participation, and community service. Along with a certificate, each winner received a check to use toward her higher education. Honorees include Julie Boiko-home schooled, Caitlan Burnham-Pioneer HS, Ashley Chang-Leland HS, Joanna Chen-Leland HS, Laura Hamister-Notre Dame HS, Stephanie Hall-Leland HS, Kaitlyn Howell-Presentation HS, and Kristin Thomas-Leland HS. Part of the proceeds from the club’s annual Almaden Valley Art & Wine Festival helps fund the scholarship program.

After reviewing over 100 entries, the Almaden Valley Women’s Club is pleased to announce the winner of its annual Art & Wine Festival logo design contest. The winner, Jozania Castaneda, is a student at Castillero Middle School. Her winning logo will appear on festival merchandise and promotions, street banners signage throughout Almaden and surrounding areas. With her art teacher, Mrs. Gwen Anderson, on hand, the Almaden Valley Women’s Club presented Jozania with $100 cash during the logo contest award ceremony. Also acknowledged for their logo design were Patrick Grace-Almaden Country School, Eri Kameyama-Mrs FuJii’s Art School, and Aeriel Chen-Bret Harte MS.

The Almaden Valley Art & Wine Festival will be held on Sunday, September 17, 2006 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. This is the third year the festival will be held at Almaden Lake Park, near the intersection of Almaden Expressway and Coleman Avenue in San Jose’s Almaden community.

Since 1965, the Almaden Valley Women's Club has been committed to serving the needs of the Almaden community and those of greater San Jose, through funds raised at the annual Almaden Valley Art & Wine Festival.