Grand Rapids International Wine, Beer and Food Festival

Dawn Baker joins us to discuss this weekend's Wine, Beer & Food Festival!

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
I don't know if you all have a perfect record,
but I can clearly say truthfully, I've been to every
Grand Rapids International Wine, Beer and Food Festival. Dawn Baker
is in studio representing it. Thank you so much for
coming in today.

Speaker 2 (00:13):
Thank you and you and me both, I too have
had really the privilege of being there for all of
the years that we've produced that event as a company,
and I'm just so grateful for the community support that
we have. I mean, it's a favorite, right.

Speaker 1 (00:29):
Oh, yes, we got to start with the charity night.
What a who's who? You have lined up? And we
hear tickets are still available. That's rare too.

Speaker 2 (00:38):
Yes, we do still have some tickets for the Cheers
for Charity v IP night and someone that we've all
heard about is going to do the welcome that evening.
So that night, Hospice of Michigan is focused on veterans
and veteran care and we have Isaiah Thomas come on, yep,
the NBA Hall of Famer. We are talking about that one,

(01:00):
you know, better known as the Bad Boys group, But anyway,
that's how I remember it. Anyway, he's doing the welcome
and I love it because his dad was a veteran,
so what a perfect you know combination. But the man
has had a lot of champagne poured over him in
his life and he and his wife purchased a vineyard
and champagne company from Champagne France. So this is the

(01:23):
real deal. And he will be at the festival off
and on all weekend. But also let's talk about Cheers
for Charity. That is a great celebration night opens up
the festival. We also have Stephen Tullock, so former Detroit
Lion linebacker four years there, eleven in the NFL. But
he said coffee was his fuel, So what do you
do in the off season, He went and learned about

(01:45):
coffee and now he has launched a coffee it's called
Circle Circle House Coffee fifty five cents of every bag sold,
which is his jersey number.

Speaker 1 (01:54):
But that's right, yep, wow.

Speaker 2 (01:56):
And so he's giving that back to children's various charities,
but also a school in Jamaica. So something really worthy
right now to focus on. But add to that that
night only Cheers for Charity only, you will also get
to meet Zach Filkins of One Republic. And you know

(02:17):
he's saying that he's going to maybe jump on the
stage for just a moment to perform that evening. But
he also he and his wife purchased a winery in
southwest Michigan, Filkins Vineyard, and he and his winemaker from
California are there that evening. I mean, there's things that
you are only going to experience that night, a variety
of food and beverages. Don't miss it.

Speaker 3 (02:38):
I think this really speaks volumes about how big this
show is and how many people understand wine and food
in the state of Michigan. I mean, to get names
like this at Devas Place Thursday night and then have
them through the weekend Friday and Saturday, that's a big deal.

Speaker 2 (02:54):
Well it's a privilege, right, and I love that. What
we're seeing is a lot of celebrities and others are
diversifying their portfolios and going after something they were passionate about.
And so that's really key. They are passionate about what
they're doing. There is a reason behind the story. They
didn't just decide, you know, to diversify their portfolio in

(03:14):
that way. So yes, thank you, thank you for that.
But I will also tell you, as big as this
is and it is an international event, and you are
going to have a global tasting experience. There is also
a lot of focus on local and so whether it's
local food preneurs or local beverage craft makers, and that
can be wine, that can be spirits, that can be

(03:36):
beer or cider. I mean, we've brought na what a
growing trend that is. We have beverage makers that are
winning awards across the country and beyond, and they are
going to be showcased at this So it is truly
the largest tasting room that you're going to experience, three
acres and we brought it all together to enjoy right

(03:56):
here in West Michigan.

Speaker 1 (03:58):
Gr Wine Festival.

Speaker 2 (04:00):
For more information, Yes, make sure you get your tickets
there pairing tickets. There's hardly any left, but if you
were thinking about it, you have better make a decision. Now.
I know there's already a lot of sold out ones,
but you know, get on that website, get those tickets
and then cheers for charity tickets are there. There's also
hints helpful maps regarding parking and navigating, and our complimentary

(04:22):
trolley and discounted parking. So all of that gr Wine
Festival dot com.

Speaker 1 (04:26):
Don Baker Great Stuff is always thank you, see you there, Cheers,