Smith River Sports Complex hosts 2nd Annual Wine by the River Wine Festival this Saturday

The Smith River Sports Complex (SRSC) will be hosting the second annual Wine by the River Wine Festival this Saturday, September 17, 2016. The event will run from 2 p.m. till 6 p.m. and feature wine tasting, live music as well as a chance to purchase goods from local food and artisan vendors. 

Five different wineries have registered to attend and participate in this festival including: Hamlet Vineyards, Preston Ridge, Ramulose Ridge Vineyards, Stanburn Winery and West Wind Farm. New to this year's event, Wine by the River will also feature one cidery, Blue Toad Hard Cider, that will be participating in the tastings for guests. The festival will take place by the scenic Smith River, which can be accessed by taking the Smith River Sports Complex River Access Road. Along with the variety of wine available, there will also be multiple options of beer.

There will be an admission fee of $25 for persons 21 and older that would like to participate in the tastings and just $10 for designated drivers and persons under 21 years old. Tickets are now available for purchase at the Complex during regular business hours from 9 a.m. till 5 p.m. or by calling 276-638-5200 ext. 6. Guests may also buy their tickets on the day of the event.

"With the second annual Wine By the River Festival, the SRSC continues to not only be a sports complex but a diverse entertainment complex, offering events for people from all walks of life and interests," Billy Russo, SRSC director of operations, said.

At the festival, there will also be more than 15 local food and artisan vendors for guests to explore while enjoying the afternoon by the river. Event organizers are also excited to announce another addition to this year's festival as river tubing will be available to guests. To add to the relaxing atmosphere, there will also be two musical performances by Maya Burgess as well as Slick Jr. & the Reactors.

"This year's wine festival will be lots of fun with great entertainment from Slick Jr. and the Reactors, and Maya Burgess," Lloyd Barber, an event organizer, said. "It's a beautiful venue by the Smith River, and a wonderful opportunity for local wineries and artisans to showcase their products. We are really looking forward to it!"

Part of the proceeds from the festival will go to the Matthew Wayne Wade foundation, a local nonprofit organization that focuses on promoting heart health in individuals. The purpose of the foundation, as stated by representatives of the Matthew Wayne Wade Foundation, is "to provide education and raise social consciousness about the importance of building and maintaining a healthy lifestyle."

For further questions about the event, please contact Lloyd Barber, Director of Development, at (276) 638-5200, ext. 6 or lbarber@SmithRiverSportsComplex.com. Also be sure to follow the Smith River Sports Complex on Facebook and Twitter @SmithRiverSport for the latest news around SRSC.

Wine by the River is being presented by: American National Bank & Trust Co., Bowles Properties, Inc., Dougs Imports, Everything Outdoors, Family Discount Pharmacy, Fork Mountain Rest Home, Harbour Garage & Towing, Martinsville - Henry County Chamber of Commerce, Martinsville Uptown, Packaging Products Inc., Peoples, PETAL LLC., Virginia Museum of Natural History and Visit Martinsville.