Art & Wine Festival Delivers Craftwork and Carnival

The booming bass line and Latin rhythms of La Ventana’s rock music had the crowd at Millbrae’s 41st Annual Art & Wine Festival shaking its hips on Sunday.

Attendants lined up for fresh-cut, fried and seasoned potatoes on a stick, grilled corn on the cob and other carnival-style food. 

Vendors displayed an impressive spread of decorative crafts, stunning photography and hip clothing.

Linda Lebedowicz, of West Hills, sold handmade wooden fruit and vegetable characters called Woodkins.

Lebedowicz said she likes the inviting atmosphere of the festival and gets a lot of repeat customers over the years she’s sold her wares here.

“The whole reason behind my artwork is that they make people smile,” she said.

The simmering summer sun nicely illuminated the glasswork of Chandra Michael of Fragiltis Glass, who displayed custom boxes and beautiful glass fairies and hummingbirds.

Many attendants carried the festival’s signature beer and wine glasses, filled up with suds such as Sam Adams Oktoberfest and various vintages.

Collecting $5 drink tokens, volunteer Louis Vella poured wine, including 2010 786 Cabernet and 2007 Toschi Zinfandel.

Enjoying a lunch of teriyaki chicken on a stick and curly fries, Josh Newbold and Carol Martin of Pacifica said the festival is one of the best on the Peninsula.

“The food is really good,” Martin said. “I’ve seen a lot of nice jewelry.”

“But I don’t see you buying any,” Newbold joked.

With a consistent musical rotation and tempting treats up and down Broadway, the festival was a hard scene to leave.