(Interlaken, NY) The Fourth of July in the Finger Lakes wouldn’t be complete without Americana Vineyards Winery's annual Birthday BBQ Bash, and this year promises to be so big, it's spreading across the entire 4th of July weekend with a full slate of music, food and drink, and fun lined up for their family and friends! And in addition, there will be auctions and raffles Friday and Saturday to benefit the rescues and shelters of Woofstock. The actual party starts at noon on Saturday, July 6 and will go all day strong, right through the full fireworks finale from Young Explosives that rivals any community’s display!
“We look forward to putting on this party every year,” explains Joe Gober, the winery’s charismatic owner. “The winery started in July, so what better way to celebrate our birthday, and to thank our friends and family for their support than with a huge blow-out? We love that people come from near and far to meet up here for this party!”
This year is the winery’s 38th birthday, and they’ve added even more food, more fireworks and more fun to celebrate. And some fun opportunities to help the local rescues from their annual Woofstock benefit. Between band sets, there will be a live auction where attendees can bid on Finger Lakes Getaway Packages -- with a Seneca Lake Getaway and a Northern Finger Lakes Getaway up for bid. There will also be 50/50 raffles and walk-around basket raffles featuring wine, the spirits of Myer Farm Distillers and a golf outing at Hillendale Golf Course.
On Friday July 5, the winery will kick off the weekend's festivities with a live radio remote -- complete with giveaways -- from 12:00pm-2:00pm, featuring the DJs of QCountry and 97.3 Lite Rock. Then, at 5:00pm, the weekly Friday Nite Pizza Party starts, with live music by Purple Valley from 6:00pm-8:00pm. During the entire event, there will be pick-a-prize basket raffles, where guests can enter to win several themed baskets, with all the proceeds going to the rescues and shelters of Woofstock. Winners will be texted at the end of the evening.
On Sunday, July 7 things wrap up with a "Day After Brunch" from 10:00am-2:00pm and live music back out in the Pavilion, where Under Construction will be playing from 4:00pm-7:00pm
Everyone is invited to join in the fun all weekend – friends, families, and dogs! "Although on Saturday, the fireworks may frighten your dogs or bother your dogs' ears," Joe points out. "So bear that in mind if you decide to bring your pup to the big party."
There will be plenty of food and drinks available on Saturday as well. In addition to the popular Cornell Chicken BBQ by the Trumansburg Fire Department, attendees can enjoy the offerings of five food trucks, and the Crystal Lake Café will have takeout right in the Café and a BBQ tent outside the Taproom in the Beer Garden as well. There will be plenty of local food and artisan vendors, a wine slushie room, wine tent, wine specials by the bottle, wines available by the bottle or glass and Bacchus Brewing Company beer.
As always, there is a full slate of top local musical talent playing all day in the Pavilion. “We have five great bands playing for the duration of the Bash, starting right at noon, each playing a two hour set, which will take us right up to our Fireworks Finale at 10:00pm,” Joe outlines.
The entertainment line-up for this year is:
12:00-2:00 The Uncommons
2:00-4:00 Backtalk Band
4:00-6:00 NEO Project
6:00-8:00 City Limits
8:00-10:00 Iron Horse
10:00 Fireworks Finale
There is no admission on Friday or Sunday, and on Saturday, admission is just $5.00 per person, with kids under 13 and pets admitted free. Coolers are permitted, but will be searched, as no outside alcohol is allowed. Pop-up tents are also allowed, but must be placed against the back fence and taken down in time for the Firework Finale at 10.
In addition, this year Americana has partnered with The Hotel Ithaca to provide accommodations and transportation. Interested guests should call the Hotel at 607-272-1000 and ask for the Americana Vineyards Birthday Bash rate, which is available both Friday and Saturday night. Shuttle service will be available to and from the party on Saturday starting at noon for hotel guests, so they can enjoy themselves without worrying about driving.
Joe extends the following invitation, “Come spend a few hours with us, or stay all day. Everyone’s welcome, so bring a whole carload with you! Just be sure to pack a few lawn chairs or blankets and get here early to claim your spot on the back lawn. People even bring pop up tents and beach umbrellas and set up camp for the day!”
Americana Vineyards Winery and Crystal Lake Café is located at 4367 East Covert Road in Interlaken, about 20 minutes north of Ithaca. Event updates and details can be found on the winery's website and on their Facebook page.
