Weekly Feature: Hidden Gems

Today's Hidden Gem: Vintage Ohio Wine Festival 2009

You talk about the 'perfect' festival for Northeast Ohio.

For those of you unfamiliar, Northeast Ohio has dozens and dozens of local wineries producing some of the best wine in the world.

It's quite amazing but than again, not. The old adage holds true, it is 'the best location in the nation.'

Yet again, Vintage Ohio comes back to Lake County.

Held every year at Lake Metroparks Farmpark, a two-day festival where you can find anything and everything, even if you are NOT a wine connoisseur.

First of all, the grounds of Lake Metroparks Farmpark in Kirtland, just breathtaking this time of year with all the foliage, flowers, animals, and earthly brilliance.

If you are not content with the surroundings, there is constant entertainment filling the air from start to finish.

Factor in over a dozen delicious restaurants to satisfy the hunger pangs as you wine taste all day long. And if you want to get down and dirty and try your hand at cooking, ICASI and The Loretta Paganini School of Cooking have classes and demonstrations all day long.

As I mentioned before, even if you are not partial to wine, there are many exhibitors set up and crafts on display to peruse and purchase throughout the festival.

And then of course, the star of the show--the main attraction. Almost two dozen wineries sharing their best of the best with show patrons.

It's quite the well-oiled machine. The show organizers have coordinated local lodging establishments to participate so that patrons are safe and happy! Attendees can stay at a local hotel or motel, grab the shuttle to the event, partake of the festivities and then safely ride back to their lodging.

People come from all over --not only Ohio but in from Pennsylvania as well as other states....this year, a group of college buddies spread out all over the country converged on Vintage Ohio as a mini-reunion.

The perfect weekend jaunt, really.

Believe it or not, preparation for Vintage Ohio 2010 has already begun, including planning for the 5K Race.

If you've never been, I urge you to keep your eyes on details for Vintage Ohio 2010, and then you too, will be able to 'sample' why Vintage Ohio is this week's Hidden Gem!