Kirkland Uncorked nearly set an attendance record during its 10th anniversary last weekend at Marina Park.
Finalized numbers not included in initial reports listed around 8,000 visitors to the tasting garden and an estimated 30,000 visitors to the festival overall. Record attendance at the tasting garden, set last summer, was higher by 50 visitors.
The wine festival, first started in 2007, drew thousands to the Kirkland Waterfront Friday, Saturday and Sunday for an annual celebration of Washington wines. The festival doubled as a benefit for Homeward Pet Adoption Center, raising $9,849 — the best fundraising year on record.
Kirkland Uncorked has raised nearly $30,000 for the adoption center over the past four summers.
Dogs wandered with festival goers through the street fair, taking in the colorful balloons, organic food, bubble guns and tiny cacti. More dogs explored more stands showing crafts, and a pen in a corner of the parking lot with a handful of inquisitive alpacas.
Many patrons brought dogs of all shapes, sizes and colors, right into the tasting garden. A stand selling margaritas sat near the entrance, with various wines dotting the main thoroughfare along the north end of the park.
A stage set up near the pavilion provided live music on all three days, including Craig Terrill Band on Saturday and Longstride on Sunday.
The wine, agreeable weather, improved marketing and an easy cause to get behind all combine for (hopefully) record-breaking numbers.
“Year nine was one of the best we’d ever had, even with one day at 101 degrees,” said John Thorburn, marketing director of Bold Hat Productions, the firm behind Kirkland Uncorked. “[The attendance] was great to see a year ago, and preliminary numbers look like we’ll come close to matching last year.”
Thorburn said the firm has ramped up out-of-area marketing efforts.
“We see Kirkland Uncorked as great tourism for the city,” Thorburn said.
The festival didn’t have any big glitches or things organizers plan to change for next year, though they’re always looking for ideas.
UPDATE: Final attendance numbers and fundraising figures, which were not available at press time on Wednesday morning, have been added to this story.
