Wine & Jazz Festival comes to an end following updated focus for organizers

LEXINGTON, Neb. — After more than 12 years, the Kearney Wine and Jazz festival is putting away its glasses.

Organizers said they want to focus efforts on other things within the community.

Mac’s Creek Winery in Lexington is just one of the dozen wineries that came to the festival every year.

The owner said he’s sad to see it go.

“It’s kind of a little bit like I said bittersweet to kind of think back on it and all of the good times. To see it go, it’s kind of a little sad. You don’t want to see something like that disappear but at the same time, I have no doubt that the next great event, especially in the Kearney area will come very soon,” said McFarland.

It’s not just the memories Mac’s Creek will miss.

McFarland said festivals like that introduce people from all over to their products.

“Festivals like that not only provide us exposure but they give us a one-on-one opportunity. It makes a difference if I can be there and I can actually tell you what we do, how we do it, how safe the product is for you, and ‘Oh by the way, it tastes awesome’. To have that experience right up front and have it be a very personal experience for each individual customer is absolutely huge. It’s critical to our business,” said McFarland.

One Kearney woman who attended the Wine and Jazz Festival said it was great to discover new wines from across the state.

“I’m pretty sad that they’re not having the wine and jazz festival anymore. We always thought it was a great opportunity to get out to just try the different wine in the area. I think it’s a great program they had going on for a while,” said former attendee Sarah Essay.

The Kearney Area Community Foundation said it’s not that the festival wasn’t doing well but rather it took far too much time to coordinate and host, taking away from the foundation’s strategy.

“We will be focusing our efforts on some new grants and scholarships, utilizing technology so students and non-profits can apply electronically, as well as expand our impact on the community with our Give Where You Live giving day (that raised more than $1 million in 2018),” said Kearney Area Community Foundation’s president and CEO Judi Sickler.

If you are interested in attending a wine festival, you can click here (Toast Nebraska) for more information on Toast Nebraska in Gretna, or click here (SIP Nerbaska) for SIP Nebraska at Mahoney State Park.

Courtesy: KHGI