Press Release

BLACKSBURG FORK AND CORK TICKETS ON SALE NOW

Blacksburg, Virginia, April 7, 2009 – Tickets for the New River Valley’s first ever food, wine, and art event, Blacksburg Fork and Cork, are on sale now. Pick them up in Blacksburg at Bull and Bones Brew Haus and Grill, Wikiteria Café, the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce, or at any Blacksburg or Roanoke Awful Arthurs location. Don’t have time, buy them online at www.blacksburgforkandcork.com. Tickets are $15 in advance and $18 at the gate. Advance ticket purchasers will receive a free one-year subscription to Virginia Wine Lover magazine.

Fork and Cork will be held at the new First and Main Shopping Center on Saturday, May 2, 2009, from 11am – 6pm, rain or shine. This is a 21 and over event. Tickets are required for access to the wine garden where thirteen Virginia wineries will offer tastings and sales by the glass or bottle. On the hour expect cooking demonstrations and wine pairings, and throughout the day outstanding door prizes and live entertainment by Cheryl Lunsford and the Star City Hot Club Band, Lenny Marcus and the Waterdrops , and Blacksburg’s very own Porch Loungers.

Just outside of the wine garden, and free to the public, is Artists Alley, where over 20 regional artists will sell and demonstrate their craft. In Restaurant Row find local fare from many of Blacksburg’s finest restaurants, and just around the corner outside of Bull and Bones check out the Classic Cars sponsored by Duncan Automotive Network.

Make plans now to spend the day in Blacksburg with the Blacksburg Partnership and its inaugural Fork and Cork event. This is one great time you won’t want to miss. Get your tickets today.

For a list of wineries and day of event details visit www.blacksburgforkandcork.com

Thank you to our sponsors:

• Presenting - MailTrust/Rackspace Email Hosting

• Platinum - WSLS 10

• Gold: Duncan Automotive Network, The Inn at Virginia Tech

• Silver: Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine, CMG Leasing, SAS Builders, Courtyard Marriott, National Bank, Draper Aden Associates, Comfort Inn, and VPT Incorporated

• Bronze: Luna, Smith’s Landing

• Contributing: Town of Blacksburg, Kroger, The Becher Agency, Walter’s Printing, Signspot

• Media: WSLS 10, K-92 FM, Valley Business Front, 16 Blocks Magazine, Myscoper.com, New River Valley Magazine, and Virginia Wine Lover Magazine.

The Blacksburg Partnership is a non-profit, independent economic development organization formed by the town, business and university communities. The purpose of the organization is to bolster the vitality of Blacksburg through projects that attract visitors and retail prospects. Partnership projects include development of property, the revitalization of retail districts, special events and the creation of marketing programs. For more information visit www.stepintoblacksburg.org.