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The park is ready for the party

By Mike Stepanovich

The tradition grows. The ninth annual CSUB Party in the Park on Friday, May 6, will have some of the state’s top wineries pouring some of their best wines paired with grilled sausages and other hors d’oeuvres for a tasting that has become one of Bakersfield’s don’t-miss events.

The CSUB Alumni Association, along with the Bakersfield Wine Society, host the event, which last year featured 52 wineries, and attracted more than 600 people to help raise money for the Alumni Scholarship Fund. The “party” begins at 5:30 p.m. on the CSUB campus.

CSUB Alumni Relations Director Jill Slaby is anticipating about 700 attendees this year to taste the offerings of some 50 California wineries, including Jory, Geyser Peak, Wild Horse, Canyon Road, Fresno State Winery and Eberle. Last year’s winery turnout made Party in the Park one of the biggest wine events in Central California.

The purpose of the festival is to raise funds for the Alumni Scholarship Fund at CSUB. The fund provides academic scholarships for deserving students who might otherwise have difficulty affording a university education. Last year Party in the Park raised more than $7,000 for the Alumni Scholarship Fund.

This year’s event will have a new feature – live and silent auctions of donated wines and other items. While sipping and nibbling, attendees will have the opportunity to bid on not only selected wines, but also lifestyle items, including a private tour and tasting for six at Chateau St. Jean in Sonoma County, a barbecue dinner for 20 in Alumni Park by CSUB food service director Leo Cromien, and a Greg Iger photograph of a vineyard at harvest time (shown above).

Slaby said she's delighted with Party in the Park’s success since the wine society joined forces with the Alumni Association. “The Alumni Association and the Bakersfield Wine Society have teamed up once again this year to present another great wine festival,” she said. “We have some wonderful wineries who have supported us, and that’s led to this great tradition. Add to that the delectable food and good friends and you’ve got the makings of a great time.

“The last three years – but especially last year – have been such a huge success that we’re really looking forward to this year’s event. Everyone who attends has a great time, so what could be better?”

Society President Harlan Shanklin said he, too, was looking forward to Party in the Park. "The Bakersfield Wine Society was formed more than 30 years ago, and this year marks the 27th year that we'll participate in a wine festival," he said. "The university's 9-year-old Party in the Park is a growing event dedicated to providing scholarships, and it’s apparent that together we’ve been able to provide an outstanding event that not only helps deserving people with their college education, but also helps people learn about the joys of wine."

And the wineries have recognized the value of participating in CSUB’s Party in the Park. “Bakersfield is a great venue for us, and we’re delighted to be able to help with such a worthy cause,” said Daryl Groom, president of Peak Wines International, parent company of Geyser Peak, Canyon Road and Wild Horse. “I’m aware of how important a college education is, and we’re very happy to support Cal State Bakersfield in its effort to provide scholarships for deserving students.”

A variety of hors d'oeuvres will also be served at the event, which precedes the annual Bakersfield Jazz Festival in the CSUB Amphitheater. In addition those attending will receive a commemorative wine glass to take with them.

Party in the Park is held in Alumni Park on the CSUB campus, just east of the Walter Stiern Library and north of the cafeteria. Cost for the tasting is $35 per person in advance or $45 the day of the event, with a portion of the proceeds going to the Alumni Scholarship Endowment.

Special packages to both the CSUB Party in the Park and the Bakersfield Jazz Festival that same weekend are available for pre-purchase only. A weekend package, which includes both days of the Jazz Festival and the Party in the Park, is $70 per person. A Friday package that includes Party in the Park followed by the opening night of the Jazz Festival is $55 per person.

Please make reservations by Tuesday, May 3.  For reservations or more information, please call the Alumni Relations Office at (661) 664-3211.