Adults-Only 'Fun Festival' Comes to McGovney-Yunker Farmstead

The long-awaited play date for adults has finally arrived. The seventh annual Mokena Food and Wine Festival will take place Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. This annual event is hosted by the Mokena Chamber of Commerce and held at McGovney-Yunker Farmstead. In the interests of full disclosure, Mokena Patch is one of the event's entertainment sponsors.

This year's Food and Wine Fest blends residents' favorite traditions from past years with a few new participating restaurants, said Nick Nelson, the festival committee chairman.

Eleven restaurants will offer a variety of food samples, and each item will be paired with a wine from WineStyles in Frankfort. Participants can sample up to 12 wines, regulated by a punch card that each person will receive at the gate, Nelson said. Beer samples will also be available from Harrison's Restaurant and Brewery in Orland Park.

"You get a tremendous amount for the money, so it's a phenomenal value," Nelson said. "The restaurants are very gracious with their servings."

Tickets cost $23 in advance, at the Chamber of Commerce and WineStyles, so there's still time to get them. Otherwise, it's $28 at the gate, and $20 if you have a group of 10 or more. The fest also provides a program for designated drivers, who can get a punch card for $15 for food only. 

Some of the wines attendees can expect to sample from WineStyles include vintages from August Hill, Malvasia Dolce and Cono Sur, an organic vineyard. Erin Weber, a wine consultant at WineStyles, said WineStyles sponsors the festival because it's great exposure for the store. It's also lots of fun.

"People can see what wines pair up nicely with things they eat on a regular basis," Weber said.

According to Nelson, the main goal of the fest is to introduce local people to local restaurants, and to teach them how to pair wine with everyday food items, such as pizza and hamburgers.

Mary Maertin, the Chamber of Commerce president, said the festival started primarily as a way of boosting the image of local establishments in a relaxed, social atmosphere.

"It introduces local restaurants to the villagers in a social atmosphere while also raising funds for the Chamber of Commerce," she said.

Nelson said he expects 1,100 people this year.

Attendees can expect to sample spinach quiche from EggCetera Café, homemade jambalaya and apricot ale wheat beer from Harrison's Restaurant and Brewery, Chicken Tetrazzini from Nancy's Pizza, and Grilled Fruit and Walnut Salad from Chicago Blu Grill and Bar. And that's just getting started. Other restaurant participants include 191 South, Applebee's, Giordano's, JH Sweis Catering, Little Joe's Pizza & Restaurant, Fox's on Wolf and Tom Kelly's Chophouse & Pub.

Each participant will leave with a free wine glass etched with the Mokena Food and Wine Fest logo. A local vendor will do the etching, and people can add the year or their names to the glass too, Nelson said. Participants can also enjoy souvenirs from several artisans and crafters offering wine-related items, such as wood-carved corkscrews and wine stoppers, Nelson said, and background music will be provided by the Dave Molinari Band and the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra's Brass Octet.

Parking will be available right across the street, and handicapped parking will be provided, said Nelson.

For more information, contact the Chamber of Commerce at 708-479-2468, or visit the Chamber's website here.