Wildflower show keeps getting better
Posted On: Monday, Mar. 30 2009 05:07 AM
By Mason W. Canales
Killeen Daily HeraldSALADO – Gary McKibben laughed as if he was among friends.
He plucked one of his Red Caboose wine bottles from a metal tub of water and ice as a woman explained that she typically drinks beer, and Shiner is her favorite.
"And now your favorite will be Red Caboose," said McKibben, of Meridian, a winery and vineyard owner, before he explained how the wine is made and what type grapes are used to create the vintage.
A wine tasting was only one of the many things the Wildflower Art Show in Salado offered to attendees this weekend. The ninth-annual show brought people together over art, music, wine and food.
Vendors sold an array of goods including paintings, pottery, jewelry, jellies, hot sauce and more, while musicians sang, and wineries gave out samples and educated people about their vintage.
"We have over 65 vendors that work in different kinds of media," said Suzi Epps, the Salado Chamber of Commerce's executive director.
This year's event was the first one held on the Salado Wine Sellers lot, which made it more park-like, Epps said. It is also the first event during which wine tasting and live music were offered.
"It just adds another dimension to the arts," Epps said.
Attendees at the show, such as Josh Bratton, said they liked the added features of the show.
"It is a lot better this year," Bratton, of Salado, said. "This is the best one that they ever had. You can sit here, enjoy the wine and enjoy the music, and just enjoy the beautiful day."
Vendors like Jim Huckaby, who sells pottery, thinks the show has a lot of future potential with the wine and music additions and was all ready offering up ideas.
"The layout of the show needs to fit the new locations," Huckaby said before explaining that he thought more people would see more booths if the wineries were spread out between the other vendors and there were clearer paths.
Huckaby is looking forward to attending next year's event, he said.
Later, another family approached McKibben's Red Caboose Winery and Vineyard table. One lady said she was rushing the rest of her family.
"Hey, there is no reason to run or hurry," McKibben, reaching for another bottle, as Paul Cox, a country artist, sang to a crowd behind him. "It is Sunday."
Contact Mason W. Canales at
mcanales@kdhnews.com or (254) 501-7554.