The Poverty Bay Wine Festival will return to where it all began next Friday and Saturday, March 6–7, at the newly remodeled Des Moines Beach Park Auditorium. For the past decade, the Des Moines Rotary Club, (now known as the Des Moines-Normandy Park Rotary Club) has held its largest annual fundraising event – the Poverty Bay Wine Festival – to raise funds for important projects like the Highline Music4Life™ Program and many others. This year the club will celebrate its 11th year at the newly remodeled historic Des Moines Beach Park Auditorium at Des Moines Beach Park – the location of the very first Poverty Bay Wine Festival! BUY TICKETS ONLINE: To purchase tickets online, click here. Wine Festival Committee Chair and renowned wine aficionado Ric Jacobson had this to say about returning to where it all started:

“We are extremely excited to be returning to this beautiful venue. The renovations and back drop allow for the perfect setting for those who attend to get a much more intimate engagement with the stars of the show, the wine makers. I’d like to personally thank all of those who have attended over the years, and to all of those intending on joining us; for supporting Des Moines-Normandy Park Rotary.”
One of the key benefactors of funds raised at events like the Poverty Bay Wine Festival is the Highline Music4Life program. This program aids the Highline School District in providing instruments for children who otherwise couldn’t afford them. The President and CEO of the Highline Music4Life™ Program, David Endicott spoke about the impact of those who attend this event:
“Highline Music4Lifeâ„¢ serves the students of low income families in the Highline School District. Within just the last month, we have been able to deliver nearly 100 ready-to-play musical instruments for use by Highline students. The Poverty Bay Wine Festival is so very important to the work of the Des Moines-Normandy Park Rotary Club. We would be lost without public support for this Rotary Club and this event.”
This years event will feature 22 of Washington States Finest Wine Makers. Friday night’s entertainment will showcase the delightful soft sounds of French Café Music styling of the band Rouge, and Saturday’s Music will feature the subtle strums of Classical, Spanish and Jazz Guitarist Julian Catford. As always, 100% of the net revenues generated by this event are used to fund the charitable activities of the Des Moines-Normandy Park Rotary Club including the Des Moines Food Bank, Student scholarships, helping disadvantage youth participate in park and rec programs, Shelter boxes, Coats for Children, Dictionaries for 3rd graders, Helping Homeless Youth. Free parking and a free shuttle service will run from the Des Moines Marina to the Wine Festival both days. Advanced Wine Festival Tickets priced at just $35.00 includes ten tasting tokens (tastings range from 1 – 3 tokens). Additional tasting tokens available for $1.00. Designated Driver tickets can also be purchased for $15.00 at the door. Attendees must be 21 or over to attend, and IDs will be checked at the door. The Poverty Bay Wine Festival will take place:
  • Friday, March 6: 5 – 10 p.m.
  • Saturday, March 7: Noon – 9 p.m.
Des Moines Beach Park Auditorium is located at 22030 Cliff Ave South (map here). Tickets can be purchased at the door while availability lasts, but advanced tickets can be secured online here, or at the following Des Moines locations:
  • B&E Meats
  • Auntie Irene’s
  • Des Moines Drugs
  • Normandy Perk
  • Key Bank – Des Moines Branch
  • Normandy Park Market
  • The Print Place
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