Rain doesn’t dampen spirits at Prairie Wine & Brewfest

Simon Hooper Wenner serves Jeffrey Van Someren at the Junkyard Brewing booth during Saturday’s Prairie Wine & Brewfest at Purgatory Creek Park, the Eden Prairie Community Foundation’s annual fundraiser supporting local nonprofits. Photo by Jeremy Peyer — Simon Hooper Wenner serves Jeffrey Van Someren at the Junkyard Brewing booth during Saturday’s Prairie Wine & Brewfest at Purgatory Creek Park, the Eden Prairie Community Foundation’s annual fundraiser supporting local nonprofits. Photos by Jeremy Peyer

A little rain didn’t stop the crowds from turning out for the Eden Prairie Community Foundation’s annual Prairie Wine & Brewfest on Sept. 6 at Purgatory Creek Park.

Executive Director Greg Leeper said the afternoon drew a good turnout despite showers and that “people had a really good time.”

Through the event’s Choice Grant voting, PROP Food received first place and a $3,000 grant. Every Meal, a Twin Cities nonprofit that fights child hunger, placed second and earned $2,000. Eden Prairie Local News finished third and receives $1,000.

The festival, formerly known as Prairie Brewfest, expanded its wine offerings this year and featured local breweries, food trucks, live music and games.

The Eden Prairie Community Foundation provides grants, scholarships and support for local nonprofits, civic projects and community initiatives. Proceeds from Prairie Wine & Brewfest help fund that work.

Attendees take cover during the second of two rain showers at Saturday’s Prairie Wine & Brewfest at Purgatory Creek Park. Despite the weather, organizers said turnout was strong.

From left, Erik Swanson, Randy Phillips, Cujo and Renee Mueller gather Saturday at Prairie Wine & Brewfest at Purgatory Creek Park.

The rain couldn’t keep some taste-testers away during Saturday’s Prairie Wine & Brewfest at Purgatory Creek Park, where attendees sampled beer, wine and spirits to support local nonprofits.

State Sen. Steve Cwodzinski (DFL, 49, Eden Prairie) orders at a vendor during Prairie Wine & Brewfest at Purgatory Creek Park.

Janice Kaiser and Mari Ferrer-Lugo dance to live music by Wondercure during Prairie Wine & Brewfest at Purgatory Creek Park.

From left, Carlos Gonzales, Charleen Fassino, Chris Fuller and Jenny Gonzales gather during Prairie Wine & Brewfest at Purgatory Creek Park.

Vic Skarohlid of Broken Clock Brewing describes options to Amanda and Sukru Erisgen during Prairie Wine & Brewfest at Purgatory Creek Park. Photo by Jeremy Peyer

Don Anderson, left, and Rick Reinert of Fat Pants Brewing pose with their drinks during Prairie Wine & Brewfest at Purgatory Creek Park.

Felicia Thames staffs the PROP Food booth during Prairie Wine & Brewfest at Purgatory Creek Park.

Jeff Lukens, left, talks with EPLN board member Mark A. Weber during Prairie Wine & Brewfest at Purgatory Creek Park.

Comments
We offer several ways for our readers to provide feedback. Your comments are welcome on our social media posts (Facebook, X, Instagram, Threads, and LinkedIn). We also encourage Letters to the Editor; submission guidelines can be found on our Contact Us page. If you believe this story has an error or you would like to get in touch with the author, please connect with us.