Another year of Stinkin' fun! (2011 Garlic Festival Re-Cap)

Fall is definitely here in Virginia, the air is beginning to get cooler, the trees are beginning to slowly transform and put on their autumn colors, everywhere you look you see harvest decor, and many traditions that come with this season are taking place. Pumpkin patches, hiking, festivals, and so much more. Soon enough you will see little ones and not so little ones, out and about for annual costume parties and trick- or- treating.

For Endstation, the month of October means one big thing, the annual Wine and Garlic Festival hosted by Rebec Vineyards. Every year for the past five years we have graciously be allowed to set up a booth at the festival to spread the word about the company and promote our upcoming summer season. It always proves to be a great time, and we have had the opportunity to meet a lot of new people and visit with some with familiar faces over the two day event each year.

This past Saturday I got an early start, jumped in the car and headed out to Sweet Briar to pick up Krista Franco (Co-Founder & Resident Scenic Designer) and her husband Drew who were in town to help work the event. We were glad they could make it, however Geoff (Co-Founder, Artistic Director) and Ashley (Communications Director, Box Office Manager) Kershner were missed by all of us this year. We packed up the final items in the car and headed out to the vineyard. The weather was cool and crisp, the drive was lovely, and we were all looking forward to a great day.

We pulled right up to our tent, unloaded and set about the task of getting the booth ready to receive patrons who be making their way in shortly. One of the great things about this time of year is that although cool in the morning it usually warms up by mid morning and when the sun is out the weather is just gorgeous. This year did not disappoint and there was not a cloud in the sky, which we knew was going to be great for the number of people coming out to the festival. We usually have our endstation wares available for purchase (tees, bumper stickers, etc..) and normally raffle off a wine basket throughout the weekend. This year the fine folks at Ankida Ridge Vineyard donated some of the items in the basket and we were happy to promote them through the weekend.

One of the new things that we did this year was offer a "photo booth" where people could dress up in hats and masks, hold a sign and pose for a picture. Krista decided to test out some of the props and had a little fun early on Saturday.

We were on the opposite side from where we usually are set up and it proved to be an awesome spot as folks would stop by the booth soon after they picked up their wine glassess and wanted to check us out. We were able to jump right in and start promoting the 2012 Season . Some had heard of us before, however several individuals had not but were excited to learn more. The mailing list was growing, flyers were being handed out, some raffle tickets were being sold, and before we knew it more troops showed up in the form of board member Jeffery Price and his lovely wife Laura. I am convinced that Mr. Price could sell ice to an eskimo! He is huge endstation fan and wants to make sure everyone else is too. He even got in on the photo booth fun!

(sneak attack on endstation friend Wiley)

The rest of the day went well as we continued to talk to new people, visit with friends as they stopped by, promote the season, and sell raffle tickets....a man on huge stilts even stopped by!

We wrapped up in the late afternoon, and stored things away for the next day of the festival. Sunday dawned and brought more beautiful weather to the vineyard. Historically Sundays at the festival tend to be a little bit more low key, and even though there may be less people out, the atmosphere is still the same and folks have a great time. We got to meet more new people, other familiar faces stopped by, additional names added to our mailing list, and more raffle tickets were sold.

Overall, it was another great year and time well spent. Thank you to all of our volunteers that came out to lend a hand and thanks to all the fans of endstation old and new that stopped by to say hello. We were able to talk to a lot of new folks, and make some wonderful connections. There are many exciting things that will be happening between now and the next summer season, so make sure to stay tuned and in the meantime, have a wonderful fall season and cheers!

Till next time ~
MAH
Company Manager