Prosser Wine and Food Fair organizers have found a new home for this summer’s event — the Washington State University agriculture research facility, just north of Prosser, the Tri-City Herald reports.
Now that a location has been found, it’s time for wine and food fair board members to line up wineries and food vendors. But that shouldn’t be a problem, said Virginia Mauer, board treasurer.
Organizers learned in February that the Prosser School District would not grant them a waiver to the district’s no-alcohol policy.
That meant the Aug. 8 event would have to find a new home after being held in the district’s Art Fiker Stadium for 26 years.
Starting next year, the fair, which draws up to 3,000 people, is expected to be held in the soon-to be-built Walter Clore Wine and Culinary Center.
Meanwhile, Jim Milne, executive director of the Prosser Chamber of Commerce, thinks the research facility is an excellent one-time location for this year’s event. The only challenge, he said, will be making sure participants can find it. Located at 24106 N. Bunn Road, the research facility is about three miles north of Prosser, and shuttle buses are expected to be used.
The research facility met most of the event’s requirements, including a large grassy area, electricity, fencing, water and restrooms. However, the facility’s lack of lighting has caused organizers to change the event’s hours to 2-8 p.m.
