MARCH 18 – MARCH 31, 2025
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SANTA YNEZVALLEYSTAR.COM
March tradition: Buellton hosts its 11th Wine & Chili Festival Attendees enjoy great wine, chili, and music to herald the looming presence of spring
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By Mike Chaldu michael@santaynezvalleystar.com
T
he calendar circled back to a mid-March weekend for 2025, and in Buellton that means just one thing: the arrival of the city’s Wine & Chili Festival on Sunday, March 16. The Buellton Chamber of Commerce and En Fuego Events was again able to put on the event, again at Flying Flags RV Resort, which gave the attendees the chance to sample various wines, chilis, and salsas, from vendors both local and out-oftown, and vote for their favorites. And to add to the atmosphere, live music was provided by Jared Nels, Sound Investment, and DJ FIU, with a dance floor that was packed for most of the fourhour-plus event. “We’ve been coming here for six or seven years, and it’s always a great time,” said Chris Lierman of Simi Valley, who was with a group of six enjoying the festivities. “With the wine, the food, and the music, it’s hard not to enjoy yourself.” Lierman’s group was in the
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(From left) Denise Shaw, Angie Lierman, Jennifer Liscoscos (front), Scott Liscoccos, Tony Scarnechia, and Christ Lierman enjoy the Buellton Wine & Chili Festival on Sunday, March 16, at Flying Flags RV Resort. The group came up from the Simi Valley area to come to the event. Photo by Mike Chaldu/SYVS
festive mood on the day before St. Patrick’s Day, decked out in all shades of green and outrageous hats. Another enjoying the festivities was Hector Snyder, banquet supervisor for the
Flying Flags park, dressed in an inflatable leprechaun costume, while conversing with the food vendors. “Things have been going really well here,” Snyder said. “The
people running this event always make it fun and enjoyable.” While the visitors lived it up on the resort grounds, the folks behind the tables and vendor CONTINUED ON PAGE 22
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