Add another to the growing list of events that are spurring recent efforts to brand Downtown Yakima as an arts and entertainment destination. The inaugural Yakima Roots & Vines Festival will bring the Historic North Front Street District alive on Saturday, May 16th from 2:00 pm to 10:00 pm.
“The Roots & Vines Festival has been created to highlight the ever expanding number of quality local wineries, breweries, and distilleries that Yakima is recognized for,” said City of Yakima Economic Development Manager Sean Hawkins. “And what goes better with great craft beverages than a lineup of top notch performers of Americana, roots, and bluegrass music? It’s going to be a good event,” said Hawkins.
The Yakima Roots & Vines Festival will feature two separate stages packed with high-quality, non-stop music. The lineup of performers will include Polecat, a Bellingham-based group known for high-energy shows and its unique take on roots music, Fruition, a string-infused quintet from Portland that embodies the sound of Americana, Hillstomp, a duo that’s also from Portland and is known for its blending of north Mississippi trance blues, punkabilly, and other musical forms, and Sleepy Man, a trio of young brothers (17, 16, and 13 years old) that have over 20 million views on YouTube, and have been featured on David Letterman Show and The Today Show.
Also appearing at the festival will be Missoula, Montana-based The Lil’ Smokies (bluegrass), Australian-born Blake Noble (percussive guitar), Vaudeville Etiquette (multiple genres) from Seattle, Yakima’s own The Common Deer (folk, blues, Americana), and John Dunnigan, a solo performer from Whitefish, Montana who is known for being an “offbeat” musician.
Local craft beverage makers that will showcase wine, beer, and spirits at the festival include Bale Breaker Brewing Company, Hop Nation Brewing Company, Yakima Craft Brewing Company, Berchman’s Brewing Company, Tieton Cider Works, Naches Heights Vineyard, Gilbert Cellars, Antolin Cellars, Lookout Point Winery, Kana Winery, Wilridge Winery, Swede Hill Distilling, and Glacier Basin Distillery.
Only people 21 years of age or older will be allowed on the festival grounds in the Historic North Front Street District. Free family viewing area will be accessible via Northtown Coffee House along with other family friendly activities. Tickets to enter the event will cost $10.00 in advance and $16.00 at the gate, the first 1,000 attendees will receive a commemorative beverage glass. Tickets for the festival can be purchased at the Capitol Theatre Box Office (19 S. 3rd Street), online at rootsandvinesfest.com, or by calling 853-ARTS. Scrip for craft beverages available at the event will be sold at various locations on the festival grounds. Food from a variety of local restaurants will also be on sale during the event.
The Yakima Roots & Vines Festival is being produced by Chinook Festival Entertainment, Seasons Performance Hall, and the City of Yakima. For more info including to purchase tickets, visit the website: www.rootsandvinesfest.com or find updates on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/rootsandvinesfest