2013 Gig Harbor Wine & Food Festival Canceled Due to Donkey Creek Construction

The Donkey Creek Restoration & Transportation Improvement Project on North Harborview Drive is impacting more than just traffic. 

Due to the impact the construction will have on the grounds of the Harbor History Museum, the site of this popular festival since 2010, the Gig Harbor Downtown Waterfront Alliance (GHDWA) (formerly known as the Gig Harbor Historic Waterfront Association) announced on Monday that it will be not be holding a 2013 Wine & Food Festival in the summer.

The City of Gig Harbor began the construction in March to restore Donkey Creek between the Harbor and Donkey Creek Park. The project will also create widened sidewalks and a new pedestrian trail and improve traffic flow along Harborview Drive, North Harborview Drive and Austin Street.

The GHDWA made the decision at its March Board Meeting following much careful thought and discussion. 

"While we are all disappointed not to offer this popular event in 2013, we are all excited to get started on planning the 2014 Festival,” said Gary Glein, GHDWA Board President. “We have contacted our winery and restaurant vendors and hope that they will put us on their schedule for next year, and we are broadening our scope to include new partners.”

The 2010 Wine & Food Festival featured Top Chef, Fabio Viviani, and in 2011 Kevin Gillespie was the featured celebrity chef. Last year Holly Smith, of Cafe Juanita in Kirkland was the guest chef. 

The festival has traditionally hosted 30 to 35 wineries and breweries and 15 to 20 restaurants offering delectable bites.

In addition to the wine and food tastings, the festival is known for its cooking demonstrations, educational offerings, and of course, the celebrity chef cook-off. 

Over its three years, the Wine & Food Festival has been supported by hundreds of hours of volunteer efforts, for which the Alliance is truly grateful.

Information courtesy of the Gig Harbor Downtown Waterfront Alliance.