Rose Parade’s first Sip & Savor foodfest gets off to a tasty, bubbly start
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Many event-goers at the first Tournament of Roses “Sip & Savor” event, at Jackie Robinson Memorial Field in Pasadena this weekend, all seemed to share the same sentiment: Why didn’t they start this years ago?
“I can’t believe this is the first one,” said Julianne Hyun, formerly of Southern California but lately of San Jose. “This event is perfectly Pasadena.”
Stacy Bonnifield, pouring out glasses of wine in the Eberle Winery booth at Day Two of the three-day event, couldn’t help but agree. “It’s amazing that this is the first one. It’s so polished. They got everything right, the first time out.”
Attendees bought tickets at various levels, each tier up allowing more trips to various food booths or wine and beer stands. Among the food stations featured: Lucille’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Que, Prince of Venice, Crack Shack, Pez Cantina Coastal Mexican Kitchen and Zelo Gourmet Pizzas. And pouring away for patrons were such wineries as Castoro Cellars, Montemar and Paso and an array of craft brewers that included Highpoint Brewing Company, Angel City Brewery and Alosta Brewing Co.
The diners and drinkers were entertained by a playbill of musical performers and strolling acts that included a close-up magician. And a kids zone did bustling business for customers too young to belly up to the breweries and vintners.
“This is the show business capitol of the world,” said event media relations director Tim O’Day. “So we had a lot of talented people with a lot of experience at events like this to map out all the details, from the flow of people through the grounds to the sightlines for the music stage.”
Attendees didn’t have to miss the college football championship tournament on Saturday, thanks to a sports bar courtesy of Firestone-Walker Brewing Company, boasting a half-dozen giant TV screens.
The foodfest all took place under blue skies on one of those trademark sunny, a little brisk but clear and bright Pasadena days, with floral-float decorators and the Rose Bowl facade mere steps away. It was a perfect rehearsal for another of those Chamber of Commerce-approved Jan. 1 Rose Parade days.
Beamed O’Day: “We had people from Washington and Ohio coming up to tell us ‘this how we pictured California.’ “
The event continues Sunday. For more information, log on to www.sipandsavorpasadena.com.