The Traverse City Wine & Art Festival Benefit Party will take place on Saturday August 22, 2009 from 5-10 PM in front of Building 50 at the Grand Traverse Commons under the big tent.

The 2009 Benefit Party will lay the foundation for the 2010 Traverse City Wine & Art Festival, a landmark celebration of the wine, food and culture of our region. It will feature 20+ wineries from the Leelanau and Old Mission Peninsulas and a selection of Traverse City and Leelanau restaurants providing food & desserts. Art Center Traverse City will be coordinating a sampling of artists and arts organizations who will display and sell their work in booths ringing the tent. Music will be offered for the duration, headlined by Michigan's own Thom Jayne and the Nomads who play a truly unique blend of world and Celtic infused jazz. The music will be punctuated by original dance from the Michigan Dance Collective.

"The Leelanau Peninsula Vintners Association is excited to be building a major wine festival that will showcase the amazing wines of our region against the beautiful backdrop of the Grand Traverse Commons. We feel that the blend of art, food and wine is a natural combination that highlights three things we do very well in Northwest Michigan," said festival chairperson Jaclyn Eikey. "With the addition of some really eclectic music and entertainment, I think it will be an experience like none other offered in our area. The proceeds from this year's party will help us build a festival that we feel will become one of the highlights of summer in the Traverse City area."

Tickets are limited and can be purchased for $20 per person at lpwines.com!