MARTINSBURG, W.Va. - Buzz Poland said he usually can be found working in his yard on any given Saturday, but he decided this year to head over to the West Virginia Wine & Arts Festival.
"I'm here for the first time in many years," said Poland, a Martinsburg resident. And he was glad he came - the yard work can wait.
Hoy Shingleton was at the entrance to the Boydville Estate to collect money and welcome visitors to the festival.
"We're having such great weather this year," said Shingleton, past president of The Arts Centre, which sponsors the two-day festival.
Visitors began showing up before the festival opened at 11 a.m., and no one was turned away.
Once inside the gates, visitors 21 and older were handed a wine glass, which they could use to sample any of the local wines on sale throughout the grounds.
West Virginia wineries participating in the festival include Browne Brothers, Forks of Cheat, Jones Cabin Run, Kenco Farms, Kirkwood Ltd., Lambert's Vintage Wines, Potomac Highland and West-Whitehill, according to the festival program.
