Capital Food and Wine Festival Attracts New Vendors, Large Crowd

Capital Food and Wine Festival Attracts New Vendors, Large Crowd

Community members filled the Marcus Pavilion on Saturday, March 19 for the annual Capital Food and Wine Festival. Festivalgoers were not disappointed, as the floor was jam-packed with local food, wine and beer vendors. Equipped with “Scrip” money to pay for alcohol and food, attendees could meander along the outskirts of the gymnasium for food; check out the middle of the floor for countless wine choices, or head upstairs for different beer selections. From paella to cupcakes, smoked salmon to BBQ and olive oil to seafood, everyone was bound to find something delicious to eat while sipping and sampling the best beer and wine the Northwest has to offer.

In its 27^th year as a community event, many vendors attend the Festival annually to share their food and beverages with the community. However, for some, 2016 was their first time attending the Food and Wine Festival. Heather Jeter, Sales Director for Cadence Winery, said that Cadence was invited for the first time this year when she met the Festival coordinator at a Seahawks game.

“I’m a first timer,” said Jeter. “But we’ve had lots of interest so far and are excited to be supporting St. Martins. Hopefully this year will be the first of many.”

Jeter said that she was expecting even more customers after the “food and lunch rush.”

Another business that made their Festival debut was Abby’s Cupcakes and Cookies. JeAnna Lombardo, an Abby’s employee, and Joe Woods, brother of the business owner, said that being at the Food and Wine Festival was very exciting.

“It’s been really successful so far. We’ve had lots of customers,” said Lombardo. Abby’s Cupcakes and Cookies had a consistent line of 3 to 5 people coming and going with their cupcakes and cookies.

Assortments of cupcakes were on display at their booth, from classic chocolate to gluten free salted caramel. A large shelved cart also stacked with cupcakes sat behind Lombardo and Woods. When asked how many cupcakes they planned to make for the event, Lombardo said that Abby, the owner, was back at the bakery preparing even more.

“We planned for about 6,000 at first,” said Lombardo. “But I think we are going to go for more around 4,000. One of us will continue to be a runner and just play it by ear.”

The upstairs area of the Festival allowed attendees a place to try different beers and the option of sitting down briefly to eat and drink before going back for round two. During the initial hours of the Festival, pleasant music accompanied the swelling noise of voices as more and more people entered the building. In the later afternoon and evening, live music added to the enjoyable ambience of the event.

The Capital Food and Wine Festival was a sensory delight. Smells of delicious foods wafted through the Pavilion, attendees tasted exceptional wine and beer, and music and cheerful discourse filled the atmosphere. The Capital Food and Wine Festival gives Olympia business owners and residents a unique and wonderful opportunity to gather together to eat and drink exceptional food and beverages in support of the community and St. Martin’s University.