Kirkland Uncorked takes place this weekend

Published 10:05 am Wednesday, July 15, 2015

The annual summer food and wine festival Kirkland Uncorked kicks off today in downtown Kirkland at Marina Park and more than 18,000 attendees are expected for the three-day event.

The festival run through Sunday and features wines from world-class Washington wineries, bite-sized feasts from notable Eastside restaurants, and appearances from the Northwest’s most prestigious celebrity chefs and culinary personalities.

Those who want to enjoy the selections of wine and beer can enter the 21 and older tasting garden. General admission for the garden is $25 in advance and $30 at the door and includes a commemorative tasting glass and 10 wine tasting tokens. One ounce wine tastes are 1-2 tasting tokens depending on each wine’s value. The tasting garden will feature wine tasting, grilling demonstrations, live music, a Friday burger brawl and a Saturday grill-off.

Families with children can attend the all age street fair.

The festival will also feature a boat show, the Uncorked Market, the CityDog Dog Modeling Contest, and a Sunday food truck feast.

Kirkland Uncorked is held in downtown Kirkland inside Marina Park at 25 Lakeshore Plaza. The Kirkland Uncorked Street Fair is free and open to the public.

Kirkland Uncorked is a benefit for Homeward Pet Adoption Center, a Woodinville-based pet adoption shelter.

More information on the festival hours, vendors, participating wineries and directions to Marina Park an be found at kirklanduncorked.com/festival-info.html.

Traffic impacts

The Lakeshore Plaza parking lot and Kirkland Avenue between Lake Street and the City dock will be closed from 6 a.m. on Friday until 11 p.m. on Sunday.

The City’s boat launch will remain open all weekend, however boaters should expect delays. Event information can be found online at explorekirkland.com.

Attendees are encouraged to carpool and plan for their parking in advance. For public parking, including the Kirkland Municipal Garage, go to kirklandwa.gov/parking. For bus transportation, go to tripplanner.kingcounty.gov.

For permit information, please contact Sudie Elkayssi, Special Projects Coordinator, City of Kirkland Parks & Community Services Department at 425-587-3347 or selkayssi@kirklandwa.gov.