Finnriver Cidery located in Chimacum, WA will again be one of the 18 producers featured under the tasting tent this year.
By Madie Murray
Final preparations are being made for what is shaping up to be the biggest and best Cider and Mead Festival Orcas Island has ever hosted.
Eighteen cider and mead producers from all over the Northwest, California and British Columbia will be represented under the big white tent on Saturday, May 11 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the Eastsound Village Green on Orcas Island.
Perched alongside the Farmers Market on the Village Green, the huge white tasting tent, where tastes of up to 70 varieties of unique and award winning hard ciders and meads will be available to those age 21 and over, may be entered for as little as $5 per person. Local musicians will be entertaining the crowd and visitors will also be able to mingle among the many booths housing crafts, organic produce, colorful flowers and artisans all during the day at the Farmers Market.
Orcas Island Home Brewers will be entering their best brew bet to BEAT BOB’S BREW! in the Orcas Island Best of the Fest Competition at 2 p.m. The top three winners receive beautiful custom award plates hand crafted and donated by Crow Valley Pottery.
Several Orcas Island restaurants including Doe Bay Cafe, the Inn at Ship Bay and the New Leaf at the Outlook Inn will be featuring delicious foods prepared with ciders as well as pairing ciders with entrees during that weekend.
Sponsored by Islanders Bank, the Northwest Cider Association, Ray’s Pharmacy and General Store, and the Orcas Island Chamber of Commerce, the net proceeds from this event will benefit the Orcas Island Farm to Cafeteria Program.
