By MATT LINDSEY

OGDENSBURG -- The Greater Ogdensburg Chamber of Commerce North Country Wine, Beer and Food Festival is expected to draw over 1,000 people Saturday, Aug. 8 and Sunday, Aug. 9 at the Lockwood Civic Center with games, vendors and raffles.

“This is our signature event which highlights the best that New York has to offer for wine, beer and food,” according to Laura Pearson, chamber executive director. “We are planning new events and activities to expand our festival.”

Admission is $5 for adults; military admission is $4 and children under 12 are free. Hours will be Saturday from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. and Sunday from noon until 5 p.m.

The first 1,000 paid attendees who show their Price Chopper Advantage Card will receive a free wine glass courtesy of Price Chopper.

New activities planned for this year include wine glass painting, “Cocktails and Canvas,” and the “Minute To Win It” format game of Solo Cup Challenge and Wine Bottle Ring Toss.

“Wine Glass Painting” with Kayli Harridine of the Remington Museum in Ogdensburg is slated for Sunday, Aug. 9 from 2 until 4 p.m. The cost is $20 and includes supplies.

“Cocktails and Canvas” with Jade Reynolds costs $40 and includes supplies and a glass of wine.

“People will paint along with her and a wine vendor will supply wine… she paints landscapes and I am really excited for this,” she said.

It will be held on Saturday, Aug. 8, from 2 until 5 p.m.

Register for either art class at the chamber office or call them at 393-3620.

In a “Minute to Win It” format, the Solo Cup Challenge and Wine Bottle Ring Toss, participants will tally their scores and the highest scoring player throughout the weekend will win prizes.

“This should be really fun and something new and different for the festival this year,” Pearson said.

Games are similar to beer pong. There will not be beer in the cups. Participants will have 60 seconds to shoot a pong ball into the cups as many times as they can. The same rules apply for the wine bottle ring toss. The person with the highest score at the end of the festival will be the winner.

“We are trying to get craft beer as a prize for the ‘beer pong’ and probably a wine basket for the ring toss winner.

The cost per game will be $1 and participants must be 21 years of age to play.

“Play as many times as you want to reach the highest score,” Pearson said

Confirmed vendors to date are: River Myst Winery, Cathy’s Cookie Kitchen, Specialtea Teas, Lakeland Winery, Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards, AppleGrove Farm, Bacon Family Concession, Eye Candy, Adirondack Toboggan Co., Tug Hill Vineyards, Uncle Jim’s Backwoods Goods, artist Sandra Young, Otter Creek Winery, Thousand Island Winery, Vendatti Vineyards, Coyote Moon Vineyards, Not Your Average Cookie, Ogdensburg Command Performances, Black Lake Minerals, Manos Maple Farm, Kaneb Orchards, Healthy Way Health Food Store, Palatine Cheese and St. Lawrence Valley Wine Trail.

“We should have around 30 vendors…hopefully more by the time festival starts. We usually get some last minute request,” she said.

There will also be raffles, demonstrations, food and music.

A “Supermarket Sweep” raffle is underway with the top prize being a $500 gift card to Save-A-Lot. The drawing is slated for Sunday.

“Save-A-Lot graciously donated the gift card I want to add,” she said.

Other prizes include a $250 gas card, $100 Walmart gift card and the fourth prize is a gift certificate to the following restaurants: Hosmer’s Marina, Phillip’s Diner, Dixie Lee and the Dirty Gringo.

Tickets are $5 each and can be purchased at the chamber office, from chamber members or at the festival.

Basket and 50/50 raffles will also be held.

Pat Duffy will entertain from 2 until 4 p.m. on Sunday and a DJ will play live music all day Saturday. Burgers, fries and more will be available for purchase and there will be a few artist and vendor demos.

For more information or to become a vendor call Laura at 393-3620.