LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lake County Symphony Association’s 18th annual Lake County Home Wine and Beer Makers’ Festival is returning to Lakeport this weekend.

The festival takes place in Library Park from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 15.

This family-friendly event is a major fundraiser sponsored by volunteers of the Lake County Symphony Association.

All proceeds go to support the symphony association’s music activities, including the acclaimed Lake County Symphony and Youth Orchestra, as well as music programs, classes and scholarships.

The “Winefest” – as it has come to be called – was originated by a group of Lake County Symphony Association members who also were amateur wine and beer makers as a way to raise needed funds for the symphony.

For the past 17 years, home winemakers and brewers from all over Northern California have spent this day pouring samples for the public, and are eligible to enter their products for professional judging.

Gold, silver and bronze ribbons are awarded for a wide range of varietals, and amateurs also have a chance to win the popular “Peoples’ Choice” awards voted on by attendees. Results of the judging are announced during the festival.

The event features dozens of vendors offering arts, crafts, agricultural products and food, as well as many of Lake County’s leading commercial wineries and brewers.

There will be the always-popular silent auction and the "barrel of wine" raffle, which gives the winner a huge assortment of Lake County wines.

Since the fundraiser is all about music, wine tasters will enjoy live music from a variety of sources, including the David Neft Duo, featuring David Neft on keyboard and Steve DuBois on drums.

Commercial wineries that will be on hand to show support for the Lake County Symphony and offer tastes include Laujor, Smiling Dogs Ranch, Kaz, Rosa d’Oro, Mt. Konocti and Don Angel.

Beer lovers can look forward to samples from O’Meara’s Bros. Brewing Co. They are not eligible for prizes; these are restricted to the amateur participants.

Attendees won't be going hungry either; there will be a variety of delicious food choices that include Gabriel Martinez’s Mexican food, Villa’s Snow Cones and lumpia Filipino food from Bing’s Kitchen. Dancing Poly Farm is offering grilled lamb burgers, (topped with a garlic, feta, yogurt aioli) served with a cucumber tomato salad, in addition to other menu choices. The Yard, one of the newer Lakeport restaurants, will have sliders and hotdogs on sale.

Other food choices include Smokehouse Jerky, pre-packaged cheeses from Tres Bien Creamery, balsamic vinegar and oils from California Balsamic and honey and bee products from NBR Bees.

As has happened for the past several years, the Lakeport chapter of the Norcal Aircooled Group of auto enthusiasts will share the day and the venue with the Winefest, with some four dozen members on hand to show off their collectible cars.

This is the second year that Winefest will partner with Kelseyville’s Baconfest to offer a reduced ticket price for those who plan to attend both events over the Father’s Day weekend. Baconfest takes place on Sunday, June 16.

Admission to the Winefest is $25 per wine taster (no sharing please!) with advance purchase, or $30 at the gate, and includes a commemorative wine glass.

For advance tickets, several outlets are listed on the LCSA Web site as well as a link to Eventbrite and to the Lake County Home Wine and Beer Makers Festival Facebook page.

Children and leashed pets are welcome, although tastings are restricted to those 21 years and older.