Annual charity grape stomp this weekend

The 11th Annual Twin Oaks Charity Grape Stomp is set for this Saturday and it’s not too late to pre-register a team. This year the event will benefit the Walker Johns Childhood Cancer Foundation.

Twin Oaks Vineyard and Winery Owner Karen Hutson said members of the Walker Johns Foundation will be on hand to accept donations.

“We have available space for more teams and are still accepting donations for the event,” said Hutson. “We are trying to have 35 teams for the grape stomp and it’s $60 per (three-person) team. The fee is tax deductible and there will be some great prizes for the winners.”

Hutson said the first place winner will get their $60 back, second place will get $30, and third place winner will receive $15.

“We will have our Lucy look-alike contest again this year and there are prizes for that, also,” said Hutson. “Each year there is a costume contest for the best Lucy, from “I love Lucy”. The grape stomp competition will start at noon.”

Teams get to stomp, squish and crush the grapes in an attempt to produce the most juice. Members rotate from cheerleader, to juice collector, to grape stomper.

It’s a round of competitions and in the case of a tie there will be a “stomp off” at the end. The winner is determined by the weight of the quantity of juice stomped out of the grapes.

“We will also have free entertainment starting at 11 a.m. and DJ John MC will play until 3 p.m., which is about when the stomp will end,” said Hutson. “Then the big band Stingray comes in from 3-7 p.m. and it’s all free admission. It’s a full day filled with a lot of fun.”

Hutson said she and her husband, Keith, has been working with the Walker Johns Childhood Cancer Foundation for years and they are really excited to team up with them once again.

“It’s a great time of year to hold this event. We have been harvesting (grapes), which we did by hand this year,” said Hutson. “We are about to harvest the rest. Even though we are busy in the fields it’s just a perfect time to do this. With the weather, the crops, the harvest and the crush, it’s my favorite time of year.”

Hutson added they will have a silent auction this year, auctioning off three separate displays. One is a guitar signed by Willie Nelson, another by Ray Price, and the third by George Jones.

“They are set in shadow boxes and are really well done,” said Hutson. “They are all signed and we have documentation. Also we will be serving food through our catering company. We will have pulled pork with sides. It really gives everyone a chance to sample the food.”

For more information or to register a team call the vineyard at 573-756-6500 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Renee Bronaugh is a reporter for the Daily Journal and can be reached at 573-518-3617 or rbronaugh@dailyjournalonline.com