A sampling of snacks and sips will help show “Sesame Street” to students across the Springfield area.
The 34th annual Wine and Food Festival will help raise money for the children’s programming on Ozarks Public Television. It will be held from 2-5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 22, at White River Conference Center, located at 600 W. Sunshine St. near the Wonders of Wildlife Museum.
The tasting event is a favorite among foodies, said Stefanie McCall, community engagement coordinator for Ozarks Public Television.
“This is our second year back after the pandemic,” McCall said. “We found out last year that a lot of people were excited to be part of it. This is part of annual fall traditions, so they were happy to see it return.”
The festival will feature entrees from 15 different restaurants, caterers and grocers covering a wide range of cultures and flavors. Italian, Cuban, Irish, Mexican and more flavors will be featured, as well as American classics, McCall said.
It will also feature drink offerings from 25 different vendors, featuring southwest Missouri craft beers, distilled spirits and wines, as well as national and international finds.
Entertainment at the festival includes music from DJ Platinum, Plinko, a raffle, a photo booth and a wine pull. It is sponsored by OPTV and Brown Derby Wine Center.
Paying for programming
McCall said the Wine and Food Festival is the network’s largest fundraiser for children’s programming on KOZK and KOZJ. Both channels feature PBS Kids programming on digital subchannels.
The PBS Kids lineup features some iconic characters and shows that have stretched across generations, such as “Sesame Street,” “Arthur” and “The Cat in the Hat,” as well as newer creations such as “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood” and “Donkey and Hodie.”
OPTV programming reaches about 90,000 children in their homes, McCall said, as well as an unknown number of students who watch the programming during school.
Event organizers hope to raise about $60,000, which would be used to pay for the network’s rights to broadcast the shows.
“This is our largest fundraiser that goes specifically to children’s programming. It’s our signature event for that purpose,” McCall said. “This helps us invest back into the children of the Ozarks.”
On the menu
The restaurants set to appear at the festival include Andy’s Frozen Custard, Archie’s Italian Eatery, Avanzare Italian Dining, Bambino’s Café, Brown Derby’s Derby Deli, Cabos Bonitos Grill & Cantina, Dublin’s Pass, Houlihan’s, La Habana Vieja, Mama Jean's Natural Market & Deli, Pappo’s Pizzeria, Retro Metro, the Urban Cup, Traza Contemporary International and the White River Conference Center.
Drink vendors scheduled include 4 By 4 Brewing Company, Alama de Jaguar Tequilla, Blue Note Distillery, Bronco Wine Company, Crave Cocktails, Don Sebastian & Sons, Dough Ball Whiskey, Great Escape Beer Works, Hold Fast Brewing, Honey Creek Hollow Rums, Hope Family Wines, Oak Ridge Winery, Piney River Brewing Company, Prestige Wine Imports, Purple Wine & Spirits, Ranch La Gloria, Springfield Brewing Company, Starlight Blackberry Whiskey, Stone Hill Winery, The Coffee Ethic, Thomas Allen Winery, Tom’s Town Distillery, Truman Reserve Bourbon, Ty Iechyd Da Distillery, Wine Hooligans, Wire Road Brewing Company and Vintegrity.
