CHEFS SCHEDULE SEMINARS TOUR DE CHEESE
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SOUVENIR |
Here's the formula: take a native Oregonian, Steve Woolard, and endow him with an appreciation of the fine food and drink, the enthusiasm to share these delights with the community and you have the foundation of a festival. The festival started in 1994 as a Steve, Joan & Stan Woolard family corporation. It highlighted the micro brewing industry and was know simply as the Spring Beer Fest. Although wines and distilled spirits were always available, it wasn't until 2001 when "& Wine" was added to the title, and the vintners and wine became more prominent. Also in 2001 the Spring Beer & Wine Fest achieved another level when the CULINARY STAGE was added where Master Chefs could create dishes using the beverages available at the festival. Over the years various parts of the festival became more defined and known by their location inside the hall, such as the FOOD COURT, SMOKER'S TENT, HIP SIPS LOUNGE, TOUR de CHEESE and the ENTERTAINMENT STAGE. Mix these with the myriad exhibitors offering everything from soup to nuts and massages to arts and crafts, and you have a complete picture. The festival spent its first four years at the Greyhound Park and its second four years at the Portland EXPO Center. By 2003 the festival enjoyed a reputation of respect and was asked to host an Open House party for the city in the newly expanded Oregon Convention Center. The association proved so successful that in 2004, the Woolard's and the OCC teamed up and began co-producing the festival. The Spring Beer & Wine Fest is known as the nation's largest sampling related, springtime event. |
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SPRING BEER & WINE
FEST ® is a
registered trademark of Rosewood Productions, Inc. |