Stompers, Swabbies Wanted For Grape Stomp Competition!

SONOMA COUNTY, CA –News submitted from the Sonoma County Harvest Fair coming soon to the Sonoma County Event Center at the Fairgrounds.

Are you a “stomper” or a “swabby”? If you have no idea what we’re talking about, make this your year to find out. In fact, make this your year to participate—you might just win $1,500! Stompers and swabbies come in teams, so grab a friend and consider the following:

• Stomper – One who stands in a barrel full of grapes and uses their feet to squish out the juice.
• Swabby – One who stands below a barrel full of grapes while a stomper is stomping and makes sure nothing stops the grape juice from getting into the jug.

Another crucial, though not mandatory, aspect of the World Championship Grape Stomp is attire. A costume contest precedes each qualifying round, and teams can get as creative as they want. Past costumes include: Lucy and Ethel; two clusters of grapes; and bridal party members. What would you wear?

Dozens of talented teams are already gearing up in hopes of being recognized as the world’s greatest grape stomping team.

The 2016 World Championship Grape Stomp takes place all three days of this year’s fair—Friday, September 30 through Sunday, October 2, with the final round scheduled for Sunday at 4:30 pm. Competitors of all ages are encouraged to compete; there’s even one round of grape stomping reserved specifically for those 13 years old and under.

Remember, the grand prize is $1,500, and you can sign up on the Harvest Fair’s website.(On-the spot registration is also available.) Each team receives four free Harvest Fair gate admission passes, and all stompers and swabbies are given official grape stomp T-shirts once they’ve competed.

In addition to the hilarious and exciting grape-stomp action, the 2016 Sonoma County Harvest offers a genuine bounty of other events and activities, including:

• An opportunity to taste some of the world’s best wines, Sonoma County food, craft beers, ciders and locally roasted coffee.
• Shopping in the Wine Country Marketplace, offering all the gold medal winning wines under one roof, as well as local goods from artisan vendors.
• A walk through the Art Show and Sale, featuring the work of local artists and photographers (entry deadline is September 25).
• Buying a pumpkin from the Harvest Pumpkin Patch or watching Jason Todd, Pumpkin Carver Extraordinaire, show off his artistic talents.
• Catch a Chef Demonstration in the Marketplace.
• Listen to live music in Shade Park (Saturday & Sunday).
• View the Classic Car Show (Saturday & Sunday).
• Participate in interactive workshops and food pairing seminars.
• Cheer on your favorite in the World Wrapped Cooking Competition (Sunday, October 2 at 11:30 am).

The Harvest Fair offers hands-on games and crafts, as well. Find out if you are skilled in Pumpkin Bowling or the Rotten Apple Catapult, and let your creativity loose by creating a grain mosaic, baking a mini pumpkin pie in an Easy-Bake Oven or planting some succulents. Whatever your interests, the Harvest Fair has something enjoyable in store.

The 2016 Sonoma County Harvest Fair takes place September 30 – October 2 at the Sonoma County Event Center at the Fairgrounds.

Also see:

• Harvest Fair Names Winners of 2016 Professional Food Competition
• Jackson Family Wines Honored For Leading The Way In Sustainable Winemaking
• The Olive Press Takes 'Best of Show' Olive Oil Award
• Buck Sangiacomo Honored For Lifetime Contribution To Sonoma Co. Agriculture At Harvest Fair
• Third-Generation Winegrape Grower Named Harvest Fair's 2016 Outstanding Young Farmer
• Robert Young Family Honored For Lifetime Contribution To Wine Industry
• Redwood Empire Vineyard Management Named 'Outstanding Sustainable Farmer'
• Harvest Fair Names '2016 Outstanding Young Person in Agribusiness'
• Russian River Brewing Co. Receives Harvest Fair Award for 'Excellence in the Craft Beer Industry'
• Harvest Fair Names '2016 Friend of Sonoma County Agriculture'
• Singing Frogs Farm Takes 'Excellence In Local Food Production' Honor From Sonoma Co. Harvest Fair
• Mark Your Calendars For Upcoming Sonoma County Harvest Fair: Tickets On Sale

--Image courtesy of Sonoma Co. Harvest Fair