The Kenan Arena was crowded as always for the annual Niagara Wine & Beer Festival. This year's sold 1,200 tickets. (PHOTOS BY SCOTT LEFFLER / ENP STAFF)

By +Scott Leffler 
scott.leffler@eastniagarapost.com

---

810 Meadworks was a popular addition to the festival, offering honey-based meads to the masses.

Over 1,000 people filled the Kenan Arena Saturday evening for the fifth annual Niagara Wine & Beer Festival.

Local and regional wineries, breweries and restaurateurs delighted those in attendance for the event, which has grown each year since its 2011 inception.

Wineries included A Gust of Sun, Flight of Five, Honeymoon Trail, Long Cliff, Midnight Run, Niagara Landing, Schulze, Victorianbourg, The Winery at Marjim Manor, the Winery of Ellicottville. and 810 Meadworks, which offered a variety of their honey-based meads.

Sushi from Steak Stone & Sushi was served with a fork for eating convenience.

Breweries were 12 Gates Brewing, 42 North Brewing, New York Beer Project, Big Ditch Brewing, Black Bird Cider Works, Brooklyn Brewery, Flying Bison, Resurgence, Saranac, and Woodcock Brothers.

There was food from Zambistro, Steak, Stone & Sushi, Wagner’s, Molinaro’s Ristorante, Pickle Annie’s, Sweet Melody’s, Blackman Homestead Farms, Hens Honey Bee Farm, Barker Chocolate Box, That Popcorn Shack, and Naturally Nuts.

This year saw the addition of a shuttle bus guests and a new seating area at the north side of the arena.

As is the norm, the event was most packed between its 5 p.m. open and about two hours later. It continued on to 9 p.m. for the hearty. A 4 p.m. VIP opening allowed 100 who purchased $50 tickets for the extra hour.

While many Lockport-area notables were in attendance, it was apparent that the event had become a regional draw. Many in attendance were from outside the county.

Co-chairman Tom Murphy called the event a success.

RELATED LINK:

• Photos from the 2016 Niagara Wine & Beer Festival

---

Check out East Niagara Post videos on YouTube, Vine and Periscope.