One of the region’s most popular and the state’s oldest food and wine festival heads for the slopes for 2011.

The Taste of The Litchfield Hills, held every year but one since 1985, will make Ski Sundown its home for the Labor Day weekend event.

Event manager Clinton Billups said the move to the ski facility will better accommodate the music portion of the weekend.

“We had a great time last year at Lime Rock, but we found that the noise from the race cars drowned out the music we like to play in the background,” Billups said. “We think Ski Sundown will provide the perfect place for the event this year.”

The event began as an idea to showcase Litchfield County restaurants after a food critic wrote that “Litchfield County is a barren culinary waste land.” Billups said after meeting with Col. Sherman P. Haight Jr., a retired military man who also started the now Haight-Brown Vineyard, the decision was made to host a one-time event to showcase the county’s restaurants.

“I thought it was going to be a one-time event, but the participants asked to come back the next year, and we agreed,” Billups said. “Now here we are 26 years later, and it is still a successful event.”

The event was previously held at the Haight’s vineyard, but after he sold it to the current owners, there wasn’t enough space to hold the festival, which draws thousands of people over the course of the weekend. After a one-year hiatus, the event returned to Lime Rock last year and was successful. But the New Hartford venue proved to be a better fit for the event this year.

There were other challenges in addition to the noise factor at the race track, though. Billups said the location of the venue is far for some attendees to travel, and the park had tried to change financial arrangements that would have put additional stress on the vendors.

“We had preliminary talks with Bob [Switzgable] and [First Selectman] Dan [Jerram] and they sold us on Ski Sundown,” Billups said. “The mountain is easily accessible by Route 44, 202, and close to Route 8 as well.”

“Our spacious grounds will allow the festival to continue its tradition of spotlighting the region’s outstanding food and wine, plus offer live music and an outdoor market place with local artists,” Switzgable said in a written statement.

Billups said the town was solidly behind the event moving to Ski Sundown.

“It’s a positive event for the entire community,” he said. “People come from all over the state and surrounding states and they patronize other stores and restaurants in the town, too.”

The event would like to call the mountain its home for the future and Billups said, “Why wouldn’t we want to stay at Ski Sundown? When people think of the Litchfield Hills, they think about scenic mountains, and this one in the late summer/early fall should be beautiful.”

Jerram said the town is extremely excited about hosting the event, and said he and Switzgable have been working steadily for the past few months to make it a possibility.

“Ski Sundown is a fantastic venue for a festival like this one,” Jerram said Monday night. “The event showcases local restaurants, vineyards and artists and should be a great event for New Hartford.”

The event is scheduled for Sept. 3 to Sept. 5. Tickets are $8 in advance for attendees 12 and older; $6 for seniors. General admission tickets purchased on-site are $10; $8 for seniors. Children under 12 are free. Admission fees do not cover the cost of food and wine, which are purchased separately. For more information, visit litchfieldfestivals.com.

STATS for Connecticut's Oldest Food & Wine Festival:

    * Grazing-sized portions of house specialties are served by local restaurants, bistros and purveyors of fine foods at prices averaging from $4.00 to $8.00. Food vendors accept cash only. ATM available on-site.

    * Wine by the glass from area wineries, draught beer and non-alcoholic beverages are also available for purchase.

    * Seating for dining is available in the culinary tent, at outdoor picnic tables and inside the air-conditioned ski lodge. Plus, guests are invited to picnic on the grounds with their own lawn chairs and blankets.

    * Other activities include live entertainment, plus shopping for artisan crafts and unique gifts for family, friends and you!

    * Indoor restroom facilities. Plus, plenty of free parking!

 Festival Dates, Times & Location:

     * DATES: Saturday - Monday, September 3-5, 2011 (Labor Day Weekend).

     * TIMES: Saturday & Sunday --  Noon to 8:00 p.m;  Monday -- Noon to 5:00 pm.

     * LOCATION: Ski Sundown, 126 Ratlum Road, New Hartford, CT 06057 CLICK HERE FOR DIRECTIONS

     * An Easy Drive from anywhere in the area: Hartford - 37 minutes; New Haven - 1 hour; Bridgeport - 1 hour, 15 minutes; Danbury - 1 hour; Stamford - 1 hour, 30 minutes; Whitestone Bridge - 1 hour, 45 minutes.

 Festival Admission

     * Advance General Admission (Age 12+): $8.00

    * Advance Senior Admission (65+): $6.00

    * On-Site General Admission (Age 12+): $10.00

    * On-Site Senior Admission (65+): $8.00

    * Child Under Age 12: FREE

    * Admission does NOT include food, beverages, crafts, gifts or attractions (purchased separately).

    * Festival occurs rain or shine.

    * No refunds or exchanges are permitted.

    * No dogs or outside food & beverage permitted.

    * Admission includes 10% State Admissions Tax.

Save $2 Purchase Tickets Online.

By HWO Staff