Lisa Gray Photos
Wine Down CT’s end-of-summer event, Dear Summer, went down Sunday evening. If you get a chance to go to their next event, get your ticket early because they sell out fast, and I see why. Wine Down CT — which, according to Aislin Magazine, started hosting lusciously curated events as a riff on Wine Down Wednesdays, popularized by the TV show Insecure — throws fabulous day parties that draw hundreds of people to hang out, taste great food, vibe to good DJs and live music, imbibe scrumptious libations and generally have a good time.
Yes, summer ended a few weeks ago, but the group postponed its September event because of storms. The group could not have picked a better day for the do-over, because the weather cooperated and the sun shone bright as folks gathered at the venue: Bear’s Smokehouse on James Street, a gem off of State Street in Fair Haven. Among the many fun things about Wine Down, one is its secret location, usually not announced until right before the event.
I’d heard that Wine Down CT hosts fabulous experiences that bring together 20-to-40-somethings from mostly Black and diverse communities to mix, mingle and enjoy a fun, safe party vibe. Sunday was no exception. The place filled up pretty quickly and organizers weren’t kidding when they said arrive early or ride share, because the lot was full by 5 p.m.
Bear’s Smokehouse was a great place to host this end of summer party in the fall groove. The venue boasts a patio and yard space, great parking, a solid beer list and tasty barbecue and other melt in your mouth morsels. They put together a great signature drink list for the event that included autumn-themed cocktails — like the one I sipped on, which featured an apple slice dipped in cinnamon.
When I walked up to the venue, two dancers greeted me with smiles and flowing fans that moved with the breeze as they twirled and swirled around the growing crowd. A bright Barbie pink step and repeat and a brightly colored elephant sculpture caught my eye as I waited in line to check in. Once the greeters fastened a colored band on your wrist to indicate if you were a mere mortal or VIP, you stepped into an oasis of bright color and melodic sound. Throughout the evening, several DJs hit the 1s and 2s to spin hip hop and R&B. Seating areas swathed in pink and red ribbons, bows and flowers beckoned you to sit and chat or simply chill. Another fun thing about this event: the games. Folks played inside, but for me the real fun was outside, where you could play giant versions of games like Jenga, Pong and Connect Four.
Wine Down CT offers tiered ticketing that includes general admission and enhanced experiences; these come with swag like branded wine glasses, fanny packs and access to exclusive moments. This time, the upgraded ticket allowed you to join in a wine tasting and nibbles in a beautifully appointed VIP tent. Korbel 1882 and Jack Daniels, two of the event sponsors, poured tastes for VIPs, and the Korbel was a bubbly treat for sure.
I appreciated Wine Down CT’s commitment to showcasing local talent and small businesses. Sunday featured 20 vendors selling everything from original artwork to cookies. I really liked the selection of Tierra Soap Company, whose turmeric soap smells divine, and Whisked by Dani, whose buttery cookies were truly sublime. Then there were the food trucks. While I like barbecue, I love curried goat, and I grabbed a plate from the Cool Runnings truck and ate it on the lawn as I chatted with a few other Wine Downers.
As the sun started to set, the live music kicked in and people ambled over to the stage to listen and dance. The fan dancers joined the crowd on the lawn. The band I caught, Ru Live and Malado, played a few cover songs and original tunes. The crowd sang along to faves like Shaggy’s “It Wasn’t Me,” which I hummed as I headed to my car with my turmeric soap, cookies and the last of my curried goat.
The Wine Down CT’s Dear Summer event was a great way to wind down, support local businesses, meet new people and enjoy a beautiful autumn day.