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In 1995, the Blooming Grove/Washingtonville Chamber of Commerce was looking for a way
to promote the businesses in this quaint village in a big way. Many of the surrounding municipalities had begun having festivals
and reaping the benefits of having visitors from all over attend. Time to get Washingtonville on the map!
And so
a stalwart handful of volunteers began planning. But what should it be called - and where will it be held? The answer was
easy. Washingtonville is the home of the Brotherhood Winery, America's oldest. What a great place to invite people to
visit.
The purpose of the event, it was decided, was to promote our community, area businesses and local organizations
while offering a FREE, fun-filled family day.
The first festival took place on the first Saturday in October,
1996. The committee spent over a year planning and waited in trepidation as "the doors" opened at 10 a.m. that morning.
Much to their surprise over 3,000 people visited that year.
Each year the festival has grown, attracting over 10,000
visitors to enjoy the life music, fantastic food selections, grape stomping, wine tasting, over 100 craft vendors and more.
We hope you'll join us this year.
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