Twenty-five years ago, a small group of people met together to create something spectacular for Atascadero. Their goal? 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.
To the happy surprise of the team, both events were an extraordinary hit for locals and visitors. 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 so that the committee partnered with the Atascadero Chamber for additional help in staffing and leadership.
From the beginning, the committee had a heart for their Atascadero community. It was a gem on the Central Coast, filled with incredible people doing fantastic things. They wanted to support that. So every year since its founding, some of the proceeds earned from the events go to the Charles Paddock Zoo and other community organizations and events.
As the Atascadero Lakeside Wine Festival gets ready for its big 26th celebration on June 24th, 2032, 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 50+ wineries, breweries, ciders, spirit vendors, artists, retail vendors, food stalls, and 3 bands. For the 26th anniversary, we’re also rolling out some brand new, fun activities. These activities include photo booth by Selfie Booth 805, a wine glass painting station, and lake tours and more Combined, all of this creates a truly unforgettable 2023 summer experience! You can purchase your tickets by clicking here or visiting https://www.atascaderolakesidewinefestival.com/.
-Josh Cross, Atascadero Chamber CEO