By Adam Brazeau
CORNWALL, Ontario – After 11 years of being aged to perfection, the Seaway International Wine Festival is the fundraising toast of the town.
Over 450 tastefully dressed guests dabbled in extravagant delights as sultry music wafted through two lavishly decorated ballrooms at Ramada Cornwall on Saturday, Jan. 18. The sold out event featured 100 varieties of regional and international wines, beers, and spirits.
All proceeds went directly to the Cornwall chapter of the Max Keeping Foundation’s ‘Play to the Max’ program. A charity that keeps disadvantaged youth involved in sports and recreation programs.
“We’re rocking in Cornwall tonight,” said special guest Max Keeping. “One in five kids in our country live in poverty. There are sections in the City of Cornwall and the City of Ottawa where that poverty is higher than 50 per cent. Poor kids dream too. What we do through the Max Keeping Foundation is even the playing field by making sports, camps and arts accessible.”
He boasted that the program helped over 100 children in Cornwall and SD & G last year.
For many wine lovers and connoisseurs, it’s the first bash of the year on their social calendar. The opportunity to explore rows of premium wine and gourmet food stations is still a huge draw.
But the sweetest part of the event this year was a dessert masterpiece from cake artist Jody Beaudry. Her cake in the shape of a figure skater just a short distance away from exquisite ice sculptures added to the evening’s ambiance.
Gilles Latour, event sponsor, said this year’s wine festival raised over $10,000.
“Nothing makes us happier than to see boys and girls lace up their skates for the very first time. That’s why we’re here tonight,” he said.