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<p>DALLAS &#8212; Thousands of area residents enjoyed wine, a wide variety of food and bargain hunting at the Luzerne County Fairgrounds on Saturday afternoon.</p><p>Wine enthusiasts and others were gathered for the fifth annual Dallas Rotary Wine and Dine Festival, where 14 wineries from across Northeastern Pennsylvania offered samples of their best products.</p><p>Thousands of food and wine enthusiasts gathered at Luzerne County Fairgrounds for the fifth annual Dallas Rotary Wine and Dine Festival Saturday afternoon.</p><p>Paul Saxon, Dallas Rotary Club member and co-chair of the festival, organized the event with Colette Mahoney, a member of the Luzerne County Fall Fair Association.</p><p>Tickets were $15 each, and patrons received a wine tasting glass to be used for sampling the local wines, Saxon said.</p><p>Ed and Marie Donatello drive from Hazleton to attend the festival every year.</p><p>Marie said she is impressed with the &#8220;high quality&#8221; and &#8220;freshness&#8221; of local wines. As self-proclaimed wine &#8220;connoisseurs,&#8221; the Donatellos said local wines come in many unique flavors and are available at an affordable cost.</p><p>&#8220;They compare to any wines made in the world,&#8221; Ed said.</p><p>Anyone who liked a particular wine could purchase it on site, open it and enjoy it while listening to music from several local bands in a shaded tent or pavilion, Saxon said.</p><p>Craft shoppers poured over the numerous displays of crafts for sale. Jenny Tillman and Mary Jones held bags full of bargains emphasizing &#8220;some great buys were had.&#8221;</p><p>For those more interested in food, the event offered a long menu of foods, from gourmet to traditional snacks.</p><p>Ralph and Lisa Kovaleski especially enjoyed the Caribbean food.</p><p>&#8220;It&#8217;s not something you get every day,&#8221; Ralph added.</p><p>In addition to wine, food and entertainment, the festival serves as a fundraiser for the community.</p><p>&#8220;This event is Dallas Rotary&#8217;s second largest fundraiser,&#8221; Saxon said.</p><p>&#8220;The funds that we receive are all returned to charity.&#8221;</p><p>Proceeds from the wine and dine event helps to our support local community projects such as the Rotary&#8217;s Christmas shopping spree for needy school children from three school districts, the Rotary&#8217;s Christmas party and luncheon for the Dallas Active Adult Center, and the Back Mountain Food Pantry.</p><p>The Dallas Rotary also will use the funds raised to contribute to a book scholarship program available for graduating high school seniors, a dictionary project for third graders and much more, he said.</p><p>Saxon stressed the rotary wanted to thank all of the sponsors with special thanks to the wine glass sponsors, Century 21 Smith Hourigan Group and AMP Global Strategies.</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">The Dallas Rotary Wine and Dine Festival drew a crowd to the Luzerne County Fair Grounds Saturday 6-17-17. Fred Adams | For Times Leader </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/web1_wine_fest2_faa.jpg</photo0><caption0>The Dallas Rotary Wine and Dine Festival drew a crowd to the Luzerne County Fair Grounds Saturday 6-17-17. Fred Adams | For Times Leader </caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/web1_wine_fest1_faa.jpg">
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<div class="neCaption">Debbie Stedee of Harrisbiurg sample a wine at the  Dallas Rotary Wine and Dine Festival on  the Luzerne County Fair Grounds Saturday 6-17-18. Fred Adams | For Times Leader</div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo2>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/web1_wine_fest3_faa.jpg</photo2><caption2>Debbie Stedee of Harrisbiurg sample a wine at the  Dallas Rotary Wine and Dine Festival on  the Luzerne County Fair Grounds Saturday 6-17-18. Fred Adams | For Times Leader</caption2><photoCredit2></photoCredit2></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>by Ralph Nardone</p><p>For Times Leader</p></bylineMeta></div>

Annual Dallas Rotary Wine and Dine Festival raises money for local charities