Wine Festival Weekend in the Works for Stafford

Township Council members are working with officials with the local Chamber of Commerce and the New Jersey Wine Growers Association to bring a wine festival to Manahawkin Lake Park the third weekend of October.

"We are planning this as a two-day event, live music, festivities, it should be a great festival and we are hoping it will encourage everyone to come out," said Councilman Henry J. Mancini, at last night's Council meeting.

Mayor John Spodofora said the township is working to tie the event in with the existing Fall Harvest Festival, which features vendors, crafters and entertainment. Bringing the wine component into the festival will extend it the entire weekend, and give festivalgoers more time to take in local sites and visit local shops.

"We are hoping this will bring some traffic as far as pedestrians to patronize our businesses in the Bay Avenue area," Spodofora said.

Stay tuned to Patch in the coming weeks for more details about the weekend.