Alamo Rotary invites everyone to come enjoy the 26th annual Alamo Wine and Music Festival it is hosting this year on Saturday, Sept. 6, at Alamo Plaza. The event is also known as the Alamo Block Party, a place where people see neighbors they may only run into doing their weekly shopping at Safeway.
“It’s become more popular from year to year because it’s fun for the entire family,” said Alan Fahrenkrog, one of the organizers. “The event tends to promote Alamo as a center of family fun and activities.”
There is no admission but all proceeds from the food and wine sales go to local school music programs, student leadership camps, the fight against polio and literacy programs.
“We are hoping for a record turnout, which will produce much-needed assistance for our area schools,” Fahrenkrog noted.
School music groups will provide live music during the event, which takes place from 2-11 p.m., including the Alamo Elementary School Choir, Stone Valley Middle School Jazz Band and both San Ramon Valley High School and Monte Vista High School instrumental and jazz bands.
“I think it’s the most important thing to keep our community involved with what’s going on in our music programs,” said Cheryl Yee Glass, band director at San Ramon Valley High. “We’ve been performing at the event as long as they’ve been putting one on.”
Headlining the event will be the Fabulous Cruise Tones, playing a variety of songs from the late ’50s up to the hits of today, the group’s 18th year to play under the stars and close out the event. Aja-Vu will sing Steely Dan tunes, a combination of rock and jazz.
Vendors will be offering everything from Wente Vineyards wine, which can be purchased in a commemorative glass, or a cold beer to inexpensive hotdogs and chips for the kids. Children’s activities include bounce houses and a rock climb at the play zone set up by the Mt. Diablo Regional YMCA and Alamo Park and Recreation.
Dinner will be served from 5:30-8:30 p.m.; tickets cost $17 for selections from Forli’s, Faz and the Rotary barbecue. Music Festival polo shirts will also be for sale.
Toward the end of dinner the Alamo Rotary Club will announce its annual Citizen of the Year award, a person selected from many nominees who have been active in the community.
“It recognizes, encourages and fosters community service in general, by advertising the good works of the year,” said Fahrenkrog.
The award began in 1985, when Dr. Russ miller was given the honor. Last year Alamo Rotary named Deputy Fire Chief Chris Suter. Other recipients have been as follows:
1986 – “Dr. Don” Rose
1987 – Brian D. Thiessen
1988 – Andrew Young
1989 – Joan Buchanan
1990 – Bob Myhre
1991 – Wanda Lognecker
1992 – Claudia Mauzy Nemir
1993 – Virgie Jones
1994 – Mark Kahn
1995 – Bruce Marhenke
1996 – Russ Hagerstrand
1997 – Joan Benbow
1998 – Karen McPherson
1999 – Richard Delfosse
2000 – John Henderson
2001 – Diane Barley
2002 – Claudia Waldron
2003 – Rick James
2004 – Greg Schuyler
2005 – Mike Gibson
2006 – Don Morton
Also toward the end of the evening, drawings will be held for prizes including a Vespa and trips to Hawaii, Reno and Lake Tahoe.
Major sponsors include John Muir Hospital, Wells Fargo Bank, Morgan Stanley, the Bach Group of Orinda, Union Bank of California, the owners of Alamo Plaza, Colliers Corp. and Morgan-Bonanno Paving and Grading Inc. To become a sponsor, contact Bill Ferguson at 998-9724.
Rock hearty at Alamo ‘block party’
What: 26th annual Alamo Music and Wine Festival
Who: Alamo Rotary
When: 2-11 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 6
Where: Alamo Plaza
Why: To raise money for school music programs – and for fun!
