Pompieri Pizza to host Lambrusco Fest 2015

If pizza, wine, Italian food, music and fun for the whole family sounds like a perfect combination, make plans to attend the first annual LambruscoFest. That it's being held in Durham, the Tastiest Town in the South, well, just take that as insurance that it will be awesome.

Durham's Pompieri Pizza will host a family-friendly food and Lambrusco wine festival on Durham’s City Hall Plaza June 20, 2015 from 2 until 7 PM. The street will be closed for this outdoor event celebrating the “breadbasket” region of Italy called Emilia-Romagna.

Festival goers can purchase a tasting punch card and then go around the festival tasting and trying authentic foods such as Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, real gelato (Italian ice-cream), Balsamic vinegar from Modena, various salumi (cured meats), olive oils and of course Pompieri’s Neapolitan-style pizza to name a few items. Adults can purchase a wine punch card to sample Lambrusco wines of all sorts. Food and wine will also be available to purchase as a meal during the festival.

The music at LambruscoFest will feature A Cappella singers. A Cappella comes from the Italian “in the manner of the chapel” performed by a group of voices without instruments. The festival will have a stage with sound system to allow the various vocal groups to perform that afternoon. The music is free for everyone to enjoy.

There will be a children’s play area staffed by the Schoolhouse of Wonder. Everyone of all ages is welcome to enjoy the food, beverages and music. The event will benefit Schoolhouse of Wonder and will donate a portion of the event’s proceeds to this nonprofit that develops kind, curious, and confident kids through nature-based outdoor adventures.

Like many of Durham's other culinary festivals like The World Beer Festival, The Doughman, and Bull City Food and Beer Experience, LambruscoFest is listed on the Durham Event Calendar.

Putting the "Do" in Doom

Three years ago volunteers organized a beginner’s triathlon in Durham designed for “nontraditional athletes” (translate – couch potatoes and fathletes). The event was summed up this way: “If you think you have a shot at winning this race then this race is not for you.”

The event, The Grueling Triathlon of Doom, will be held on April 17 at 8:30 am, and is a five lap swim, five mile bike, and 1 mile walk. The route for the event will be announced this spring; however registration closes February 28, so visit the website and register now to take part in one of Durham's unique events.

Known for its great food, great historic sites, great art museums, and great sports, among other great things, Durham is perhaps a little less well known is its penchant for quirky festivals, not surprising in a community known for its genuine, engaged, and unpretentious citizens who are proud of the community in which they live.

Consider just a handful of these “lesser-known” festivals held in Durham each year: Harley Davidson Bike Show and Chili Contest (now that’s a hot combination!); Backyard Beer Festival (Durhamites have become quite the beer connoisseurs); Holy Ghost Weenie Roast (‘nuf said!); and the wildly popular Beaver Queen Pageant.