Sip wine. Enjoy some appies. Learn about the different wine regions. Dance along to the joyful songs of local entertainer Kristi Hack. Help support two great causes. These are just a sampling of the things that you can do at the hottest summer wine event in Penticton! It’s the Battle of the Benches, and it’s on July 10th, from 6-9pm, poolside at the Penticton Ramada Inn and Suites.
For tourists and locals alike, the Battle of the Benches is a wonderful way to experience the wines of the Okanagan and the Similkameen Valley. If you’ve ever wondered why a Pinot Noir from Kelowna tastes so different than a Pinot Noir from the Similkameen Valley or the Black Sage Bench, this event is for you!
Margie Hibbard, event organizer with the Battle of the Benches explains, “With 9 wine regions represented, over 30 wineries and over 100 wines, you will have an opportunity to taste the wines and understand what makes the wine from each growing region unique. This event lets you really taste the difference the terroir makes.“
In addition to an incredible selection of fantastic wines, there will be yummy appetizers and live entertainment. Penticton-based entertainer Kristi Hack will delight you with her very special stage presence and her great song choices to move along with as you sip some wines!
There will be a fantastic silent auction featuring loads of highly-sought after prizes, plus a live auction featuring some of the award winning wines from the event.
The Battle of the Benches is a fundraising event for two important charities in our community, Summerland-based One Person Project and the Okanagan Raise a Reader campaign. The One Person Project is a volunteer-driven organization committed to establishing an enduring connection with two communities in East Africa. The Okanagan Raise-a-Reader campaign is a fundraising initiative designed to increase awareness and raise money to support family literacy programs in the Okanagan. 100% of the net proceeds from the event and the live and silent auctions will be donated to these two great causes.
Sponsors for this year’s Battle of the Benches include the Penticton Ramada, The Penticton Herald, Greyback Construction, Structurlam, Valley First, Pentastic Hot Jazz Festival, Coffee News, KAL Tire, After Glow Audio & Electric, the Cooperators and Sweet Tooth Photography. Hibbard commented, “We couldn’t put on this event without the tremendous support of our sponsors and all the businesses that donated great auction prizes. It’s wonderful when so many people can work together to help support those in need.”
Thanks to sponsorship from the Cooperators, this is a safe ride home event.
If you’re coming in from out of town, call the Ramada and quote the Battle of the Benches for a special room rate.
Battle of the Benches tickets are only $45 and are available at the Ramada or the Penticton & Wine Country Visitor Info Centre. For more info, visit www.facebook.com/battleofbenches or http://battleofbenches.shawwebspace.ca
