Snowfall complements picturesque icewine festival
Celebration of Niagara’s vintages continues this coming weekend
Despite being hit by the first major snowfall of 2020, Niagara-on-the-Lake continued to see crowds pour in to its Icewine Village this weekend to savour sights, sounds and sweetness of a seasonal celebration.
Nadia Hinds, who has been volunteering at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Icewine Festival for five years, stood bundled in her winter garb under shelter of a token booth, assisting a long line of thirsty people.
The snow did not seem to impact attendance whatsoever, she said. Perhaps because it was far from the coldest weather the event has seen — last year was much, much colder — or perhaps because of the unique photo opportunities it offered.
“The snowfall makes it pretty for pictures,” Hinds noted.
It was the perfect opportunity for one bride-to-be to celebrate with friends.
Linda McBride, who is getting married Feb. 8, was joined by Anna
McCuster and Alison McBride for a bachelorette party.
Their first time at the festival, the
women expressed their delight with the wine, the village setup and with the snow.
“It’s beautiful. It’s really picturesque right now, especially with the snow,” said Alison.
As for what was in store for the rest of the party, Linda said, “Lots more wine drinking and some hot-tubbing.”
For Diana Hastings, one of dozens of event staff who served and socialized with people over the weekend, the high level of interaction was the highlight of the festival.
That, and “the part where I get to go inside the building,” she quipped while pouring a Frontier Cab Franc Icewine from The Hare Wine Co.
The festival continues in Niagara-on-the-Lake this coming weekend, at wineries across Niagara and at the Snow Globe Soiree Wine and Dine beside the Horseshoe Falls.
For more information, go to niagarawinefestival.com.