Record Crowds, Generous Bidders Produce Bountiful Franklin Wine Festival “Harvest” for the Kids
2010 Franklin Wine Festival Raises $140,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters
November 1, 2010
FRANKLIN, TN (October 22, 2010) – The sixth annual Franklin Wine Festival, presented by Cool Springs Wines and Spirits and supported by Nissan, raised over $140,000 for the children of Big Brothers Big Sisters – an all time high fund-raising total and record attendance for the October 22 food and wine tasting event.
Over 1,400 celebrants gathered at The Factory at Franklin to sample more than 340 wines from around the world and culinary offerings from Middle Tennessee’s finest area restaurants and caterers. Rounding out the evening there was live entertainment by The Storm Kings, Art Four Sale, and Tucker Perry - 2010 Miss Tennessee USA on two stages and a live and silent auction of wine, cigars, trips, original art, and all sorts of surprises. Additionally, the event hosted Celebrity Wine Pourers such as retired Tennessee Titan Craig Hentrich, Metro Nashville Councilwoman Erica Gilmore, and Zoro, drummer for Lenny Kravitz, to add to the excitement.
Event Chairperson Sandy Draper of Wirtgen America commented, “This year’s Franklin Wine Festival was our largest event to date – and I speak for the entire committee when I express my sincerest thanks to all the investors who made this success possible, particularly Nissan North America and Cool Springs Wines & Spirits, helping children in Big Brothers Big Sisters program overcome adversity and change their lives for the better.”
"Six years ago, we envisioned the Franklin Wine Festival to offer our customers the opportunity to taste more quality wines than any other event in the state," said James 'Woody' Woodard, owner of Cool Springs Wines & Spirits. He continued, "It was our goal to partner with an organization that could benefit from the proceeds raised at that event. We are extremely pleased that Big Brothers Big Sisters has helped make our dream a reality and that - as a result - more children in Middle Tennessee will experience one-to-one mentoring. Big Brothers Big Sisters truly makes a difference in the lives of children."
The day after the festival, Cool Springs Wines and Spirits offered discounts on the wines featured at the event, and they also saw strong sales from attendees wanting to share their new favorites with friends and family who were unable to attend.
The Grand Tasting has been held for the past six years at The Factory at Franklin with volunteers from the Big Brothers Big Sisters program and their friends serving as event staff for the evening pouring wine, assisting restaurants, and selling tickets. To date, the event has raised more than $500,000 to help serve children with a mentor.
The funds raised by the Franklin Wine Festival will be used to serve more children with a mentor throughout Middle Tennessee through Big Brothers Big Sisters programs.
The organization depends on donations to help recruit volunteers and reach more children. Funding is used to conduct background checks on volunteers to ensure child safety, and provide ongoing support for children, families and volunteers to build and sustain long-lasting relationships. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee served 2,541 children in 2009 with a mentor, and is on target to serve 2,800 children this year.
For more information, visit www.mentorakid.org or call Big Brothers Big Sisters at (615) 329-9191.
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