The sixth annual Shine to Wine Festival will be held from noon until 6 p.m., Saturday, April 24. The festival will take place on 10th Street, between Main and D Streets, in downtown North Wilkesboro.

General admission is free, with the tickets for wine tasting $15 in advance and $20 at gate. Wine tasting ticket holders will receive a souvenir glass at check-in.

Over 20 vineyards and wineries will be participating along with several food for consumption vendors as well as those selling baked goods. Other vendors will be offering arts and crafts items.

Music will be performed throughout the festival by the Shu Band and Matt Bizzell. The bands are being sponsored in part by the N. C. Arts Councils grassroots funding project, the Cultural Arts Council of Wilkes, and the local arts council.

The festival will feature the third annual Culinary Chef Challenge, where regional chefs representing surrounding restaurants will compete for the title of “best chef” and most creative. Chefs will display their cooking and presentation talents for a jury of judges and critics.

Prior to festival, three wine dinners will be offered at downtown North Wilkesboro restaurants that will pair cuisine with wine. The dinners will be held at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 23. Sixth and Main Restaurant will host Elkin Creek Winery; Branciforte Italian Ristorante will host Benny Parsons’ Rendezvous Ridge; and Key City Grille will host McRitchie Winery and Ciderworks. Each winery and restaurant has been working to pair wines with each course. Culinary and wine descriptions will be given during the evening. Tickets are $50 per person, and seating is limited to 10 spaces per restaurant.

To purchase a wine dinner ticket, contact Historic Downtown North Wilkesboro at 667-4875 or e-mail info@hdtnw.org.

Hotel packages are available at Addison Inn (838-1000) and Holiday Inn Express (838-1800) in Wilkesboro.

This year’s event is presented by Wilkes Regional Medical Center. Sponsors include Brame Huie Pharmacy, GoWilkes.com, Hallmark/Quickframe, Integrity Design and Displays Inc, Myers Tire and Ivy Ridge Traditions.

Advance tickets can be purchased at Ivy Ridge Traditions at 813 Main Street, North Wilkesboro; Key City Grille, 211 10th Street, North Wilkesboro; Gallery 3Fifteen, 315 10th Street, North Wilkesboro; Applewood Bistro, 3600 W N.C. U. S. Highway 268, Wilkesboro; Holiday Inn Express, 1700 Winkler Street, Wilkesboro; and Addison Inn, 1842 U.S. Highway 421 North, Wilkesboro. Tickets are also available online at www.DowntownNorthWilkesboro.com.