Reset after April flood, wine fair to offer more
Rescheduled to May 21 because of rainy weather last month, the Wine Fair Cy-Fair has for the most part kept the same plans for events.
“We’re turning water into wine,” event founder and co-producer Constance McDerby said of planners refusal to lose out to the whims of weather.
A T-shirt bearing that phrase will be sold at the fifth annual event, with proceeds benefiting Cy-Hope, a local nonprofit that helped families cope with devastation from April flooding.
Reaching out to ticket holders to explain the change of dates was a priority, McDerby said.
“The tickets will still be good,” she said.
Those with tickets for the originally scheduled date, April 23, were given the option of donating funds to the Red Cross.
“We didn’t have to do very many refunds,” McDerby said. “People
in the area are very generous and want to help their neighbors.”
The main event is scheduled for 5:30-8:30 p.m. May 21 at Cypress Village Station, a mixeduse development at U.S. 290 and Skinner Road in Cypress.
Tickets are $25 for general admission.
A selection of 250 wines and 30 food-tasting stations will be available. New exhibitors picked for rescheduled event
“A few (of the original) exhibitors had conflicts with dates, but we were able to bring in a few new ones to take their place,” McDerby said.
The Back Grill Beer Garden will offer more than 50 options of craft beer as well as signature nibbles.
“Our beer section has exploded,” McDerby said. “It’s the tent that keeps getting bigger and bigger. For serious beer enthusiasts, we have some rare craft beers that will be available.”
Vendors will offer art and artisan goods and live musical performances are planned.
McDerby described the planned Cypress Creek Lakes Home Zone as a miniature home and garden show.
For $75, which includes general admission, you can buy tickets to the VIP Lounge, where guests will receive a swag bag, enjoy air-conditioning and overlook all the festivities from a comfortable seat.
Guests may also attend a pre-main-event bash, “All that Sparkles,” which is slated for 4:30 p.m. at Cypress Village Station. Tickets are a $20 add-on to the general admission cost. ‘One Fine Affair’ will be in October
McDerby said that usually Wine Fair is preceded by “One Fine Affair,” an exclusive pre-party. Because of scheduling conflicts, that event has been moved to Oct. 14 at Lindsay Lakes, 16536 Mueshke Road in Cypress.
Guests at “One Fine Affair” will receive a keepsake glass and sample wine and gourmet dishes. Tickets are $100 and admission is limited to 200 guests.
The event will benefit Reach Unlimited, a local nonprofit dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
One Fine Affair will also feature a silent auction, big board and wine pull.
McDerby said the wine fair has grown each year.
The event was created as a fundraiser for Reach Unlimited and the CyFair Houston Chamber of Commerce.
Wine Fair Cy-Fair became a collaboration between the chamber and McDerby’s company Food & Vine Time Productions, an organization that produces events like Wine & Food Week in The Woodlands, Brewmasters Craft Beer Festival, Zest in the West and Katy Sip n Stroll.
Chamber president Leslie Martone said that rescheduling instead of postponing the event made sense.
“People look forward to it every year,” she said. “It wasn’t anything we wanted to cancel.
“It’s just an opportunity to hang out with friends and family,” she said. “It also makes a great date night. There are a lot of great wines, local foods and different vendors. It’s a great event.”