Organizer says second art and wine festival was an improvement

By Dave Schwab

Staff Writer

The second annual La Jolla Art and Wine Festival held Oct. 9-10 was sweeter — and smoother — the second time around, according to organizers.

“The art was much finer; it was better organized,” said event founder/chairwoman Sherry Ahern who also spearheaded development of La Jolla Farmers Market. “We had 1,000 to 1,500 people an hour come both Saturday and Sunday.”

The two-day event featured 300 booths, 150 artists and a juried art show, a food court, live entertainment and a beer and wine garden. It was a fundraiser for Bird Rock, Torrey Pines and La Jolla public elementary schools.

Fran Shimp, one of nearly 60 volunteers who works year-round on planning and staging the art and wine festival, said it was a great day that brought out “tons” of community members to enjoy the art, entertainment and food.

Shimp feels the event has huge potential.

“It could turn into an incredible event that’s around for decades to come,” she said. “Everyone needs to remember this is put on 99 percent by parent volunteers and we are learning as we are going.”

Though tabulations were not complete at press time, Ahern said she expected this year’s event to top last year’s tally of $40,000, which went to fund school programs in music, the arts, physical education and other programs depleted or marked for elimination entirely by ongoing education budget cuts.

The event’s beer and wine garden featured 25 brewers and wineries from all over Southern California and Northern Baja.

“It was packed,” said volunteer bartender Coleen Choisser of attendance. “People coming in wanted to order cases from the different wineries. We want to be able to do that next year.”

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