Wine Eats and Easels

One of the most anticipated wine tasting events of the year, sponsored by Friends of Broken Arrow Neighbors, is almost here!

One of the most anticipated wine tasting events of the year, sponsored by Friends of Broken Arrow Neighbors, is almost here! Wine Eats and Easels will be held Friday, October 17, 2008 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the brand-new Broken Arrow Farmer’s Market and Historical Society Museum in historic downtown Broken Arrow.

Wine Eats and Easels will be a great party, for an even greater cause. As always, proceeds will benefit Broken Arrow Neighbors (BAN), an organization that works to make life better for our financially disadvantaged neighbors. BAN offers emergency assistance to more than 17,000 people in Broken Arrow and Coweta, providing food, clothing, school supplies, legal services, holiday assistance, a clinic for minor illnesses, financial assistance for utilities, rent, prescriptions and gasoline, and so much more. Last year’s wine tasting event raised more than $20,000 for this valuable nonprofit organization.

The 5th annual wine tasting extravaganza has always been incredible, and it will be even more spectacular this year. Come and delight your taste buds with delicious wine and food! Eighteen local and regional wine vendors will be available for you to choose your favorite reds and whites, and more than 20 restaurants will be on hand to whet your appetite. In addition, 20 artists from the Broken Arrow Arts & Humanities Council will be displaying and selling their original works, while a variety of musical acts fill the air with great music throughout the evening.

Last year’s attendance reached over 700; at least 1,500 people are expected at this year’s event. “Our wine tasting fundraiser is always highly-anticipated,” says Chairman Kate Buster. “This year it’s even bigger and better than ever. We finally get to have it right in our hometown, like we’ve always wanted to.” Kate co-created the event five years ago with Sonny Kinion, who wanted to do something special to honor his mother Ruby H. Kinion. He thought a benefit for Broken Arrow Neighbors would be perfect, since Ruby had volunteered with the nonprofit for many years.

At Wine Eats and Easels, don’t expect to see plastic wine glasses, paper tablecloths, or people walking around in jeans and t-shirts. “This has been called northeast Oklahoma’s classiest event,” says Kate. “The committee has again pulled out all the stops to make this a stylish, splendid evening.”

In addition to the 15-person committee, supporters who have worked to make Wine Eats and Easels possible include: the City of Broken Arrow, the Historical Society Museum, the BA Arts & Humanities Council and the BA Main Street Merchants Association.

Sponsors will be given royal treatment throughout the evening, enjoying the privacy of the Historical Museum’s third floor, which will overlook all of the festivities. Sponsorships are still available. For more information, call Kate at (918) 313-9051 or Sonny at (918) 857-2450.

Others being treated like royalty on this special night are the volunteers of Broken Arrow Neighbors, each of whom receives a free ticket. “The rule is that they are not allowed to work the event,” says Kate. “This evening is for them to relax, drink wine, and enjoy beautiful music and art with their community.”

Tickets to Wine Eats and Easels are $25, and all of the proceeds go to Broken Arrow Neighbors. Call (918) 251-7781 or go online to www.baneighbors.com to learn more about volunteering, donating items, or providing monetary donations to BAN.

For more information, contact

Wine Eats and Easels

(918) 313-9051