Rotary’s Art, Wine & Wheels event will step off on May 25

One of Mariposa County’s favorite events will step off on the grounds of the historic Mariposa County Courthouse on Saturday, May 25.

The 18th annual Art, Wine and Wheels gathering, hosted by the Rotary Club of Mariposa/Yosemite will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

This fundraising affair for the local Rotary Club features locally-produced wines and a variety of fine artwork created by regional artists. Up to two dozen classic automobiles will also be on display.

Event committee chairperson, John McCamman said, “This is our club’s largest fundraiser of the year and it provides for a lot of the club’s functions as well as the community support we provide. In total funds raised it’s second only to the golf tournament we hold in October, but all of those funds are dedicated to substantial scholarships.”

There is no admission fee for the event. All those of legal age can purchase six tasting tickets, and that includes a souvenir engraved glass, for $20. “Just like everything else in the world, our price has gone up a little bit,” McCamman explained.

The ticket purchase allows for tasters to visit any of the nine wine booths and sample up to six varieties.
Those in attendance who don’t wish to lift their pinky finger and tilt a glass can grab adult refreshments at the 1850 booth where several different flavors will be available from the local brewer.

According to McCamman, 1850 will be generously donating all of its sales revenues to the local Rotary Club.

There will also be a combination of five or six food booths and taco trucks, with a diversity of offerings, and jazz music will float across the courthouse lawn during the event.

Mariposa County’s Superior Court Judges will be conducting tours of the historic courthouse from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and narrating the tour through the famed structure.

“One thing we want to remind people is that this is really a fine art show with paintings and sculptures. It’s not just a craft show,” McCamman added.

Each year, artists submit art entries with the event as the subject. Again this year, the honors went to Rosalie Thurston. Her creation is used as a focal point in promoting the gathering.

There will also be raffles for different prizes.

The Rotary Club uses the funds raised for numerous Community Giving grants to many local organizations, disaster relief efforts, scholarships and humanitarian projects through both club-sponsored activities and through Rotary International.