Tickets go on sale for a really good time to benefit charity

Herald file photo - Ashley Wagner (left) of Johnson Brothers Liquor Co. pours wine for Renee Flansburg during the 9th Annual Suncoast Food & Wine Fest at Lakewood Ranch last year. The annual event raised more than $100,000 for charity

LAKEWOOD RANCH -- The ninth annual SunCoast Food & Wine Fest, sponsored by the Lakewood Ranch Rotary Club, is set for the Sarasota Polo Grounds from 1 to 4 p.m. Nov. 12.

This event will feature more than 300 American and international wines for tasting, specialty foods from more than 35 of the area’s finest restaurants, cooking demonstrations by well-known area chefs, live entertainment by two bands, a silent auction that includes a seven-day catamaran cruise for two to the eastern Caribbean, a six-day African safari for two, seven days in the Bahamas in an executive house and more.

Tickets are $60 a person and must be purchased in advance. Everyone will receive a goodie bag filled with all sorts of items, including a signature wine glass. Parking is free.

All net proceeds will be distributed to local charities through a grant process. To date, the Lakewood Ranch Rotary Club has donated $800,000 to nonprofit organizations in Manatee and Sarasota counties.
Information: www.suncoastfoodandwinefest.com or (941) 870-0002.

For more photos from last year's event, visit:

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