Raise A Glass At Highlandtown Wine Festival

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- It started as a small gathering with just friends and family. Now 13 years later, it's one of the biggest events of spring in Baltimore.

Ron Matz has more on a festival that brings a huge crowd to one of Baltimore's most historic neighborhoods.

Dispasquale's Market is a beloved part of East Baltimore.

"When we started, there were a lot of new people in Highlandtown. It connected with the old timers in Highlandtown. We planted something new and it just grew," said Joe Dipasquale, co-founder of the Highlandtown Wine Festival.

On Sunday, they'll raise a glass at the annual Highlandtown Wine Festival.

"You're going to meet good people, eat good food, enjoy good homemade wine. We have bocce players and live music. It will be a beautiful, sunny day," said Domenic Petrucci, co-founder of the Highlandtown Wine Festival.

Wine will be made in the neighborhood, raising money to benefit the Highlandtown Community Association.

"It's an amazing event. It's gotten bigger and bigger over the years. Now we're in our 13th year," said Alyssa Hayes, a member of the festival planning committee.

Tickets are just $20 in advance and $25 at the door. You get fine wine tastings and a whole lot more.

"It's $20 in advance, $25 at the door. You get five wine tastings. All the wine is homemade, all the money goes back to the Highlandtown Community Association," said Hayes.

There's great food from Dispasquale's Market.

"We had about 75 people for the first one 13 years ago. It was in the courtyard at the Lady of Pompei. Since then, it's grown. I think there was a lot of energy and excitement and people were genuinely interested in homemade wine," said Joe Dispasquale, c0-founder of the Highlandtown Wine Festival.

It's a festival that grows every year, a community stronger, the grapes of home.

"I'm ready for a good time. I'm proud to be a part of it. Highlandtown is famous," said Petrucci. "It's for a good cause, raising money to improve the community. Come down and enjoy this beautiful festival."

Sunday's Highlandtown Wine Festival runs from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

"People come from all over, we block off the streets. It's a big event," said Petrucci.

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