Walk back with me in time, twenty-six years ago. A small group of people united in a single goal to create something truly spectacular for Atascadero. They wanted to establish an event that locals would love and that visitors would get excited about. Together they formed a committee chaired by the passionate community advocate and leader, Barbie Butz with the support of the Charles Paddock Zoo, the team moved forward to create two of the most loved events in Atascadero. You can guess what they are. These two signature events were the Mayor’s Winemaker Dinner and the Atascadero Lakeside Wine Festival.
Much to their suprise, both events were an extraordinary hit! The attendance of both events increased every year until the Mayor’s Winemaker Dinner grew to such a size that it was given to the Atascadero Kiwanis Club. The Atascadero Lakeside Wine Festival continued to grow and thrive, so the committee partnered with the Atascadero Chamber of Commerce for additional help in leadership and staffing.
From the beginning, the committee had a heart for their community. Atascadero is a Central Coast gem, filled with outstanding people doing amazing things. The committee wanted to support the community in a new and creative way so every year since its founding, some of the proceeds earned from both the events go to the Charles Paddock Zoo.
As the Atascadero Lakeside Wine Festival gets ready for its big 26th Anniversary celebration on June 24th, 2023, it’s keeping to its community heart. It continues to offer a genuine wine tasting experience for locals and visitors – sun, food, wine, art, and music – all together at this sun-splashed wine festival overlooking the Atascadero Lake and nestled next to the Charles Paddock Zoo. This year’s festival will feature hundreds of premium California wines served up along with the best of the regional craft brews, cider, and spirits. Three live bands triangulate the festival grounds to keep the beat going for this lively event.
Attendees can enjoy wineries, breweries, cideries, spirit vendors, artists, retail vendors, food vendors, and 3 live bands. For the 26th Anniversary, we’re also rolling out some brand new, fun activities including photo booths by Selfie Booth 805, a wine glass painting station, lake tours and more. Combined, all of this creates a truly unforgettable 2023 summer experience! Don’t delay, purchase your tickets by visiting https://www.atascaderolakesidewinefestival.com/.
-Josh Cross, Atascadero Chamber CEO