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Who can attend the Wine Down on April 4th?

Anyone over the age of 21.

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What is the Acadiana Wine Festival in 2009

In October 2009 the Paul and Lulu Hilliard University Art Museum will present the Acadiana Wine Festival. Proceeds from the gate will benefit the museum's program and exhibition fund. The wine festival concept is ideal for building tourism in Acadiana, and attracting thousands of new visitors to the museum site. Representatives from the museum and a volunteer committee will assume responsibility for the organization planning and administration of what we anticipate will be an annual event.

Event Profile: Most events of this nature, including a wine tasting hosted by PASA, are designed to attract a specific demographic - middle to upper income individuals with a disposition to purchase or contribute $100 to $250 to participate. This demographic is, from our estimation, around 2000 to 3000 households in Lafayette Parish and surrounding communities in other parishes. Of course, not all of this demographic consistently participate therefore most of these events attract roughly 500-700 participants in total. Additionally, these events are traditionally designed and presented as elegant occasions with refined presentation.

The Acadiana Wine Festival will offer a ticket price between $20-$25. We plan to limit ticket sales for reasons of capacity. The target demographic is upward of 500,000 within a 100-mile radius of Lafayette. Our primary target audience are middle and upper income adults and those who typically never participates in fundraisers with a ticket price of $50 or more. We anticipate over 1,500 attendees in the first year. An admission ticket provides the guest with a promotional tasting glass, and access to regional winery and wine distributor tents located on the lawn and plaza, talks and presentations in the A. Hays Town Building and free admission to the museum. Museum members will be offered an advance ticket purchase discount to be determined. We anticipate that as the event grows it will evolve into a regional tourism event expanding into the Oil Center and involving a larger variety of vendors, artists and retailers. The primary reason for hosting the event is to raise significant funding for the museum’s program budget, establish a site specific event for the Museum and eventually Oil Center Properties and introduce the museum to a broader audience.

Proposed Mission Statement: "To realize the tourism potential of the Acadiana Wine Festival,
position it as an important component of the tourism products in Acadiana and raise funds supporting the mission and program of the Paul and Lulu Hilliard University Art Museum. To promote the fine wines, the regional wine making industries and their products along with the site host the Paul and Lulu Hilliard University Art Museum. To provide a community event and celebration that will contribute to the quality of life and civic pride within Acadiana.

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How can I become a Wine Festival Volunteer?

Simply write the museum at artmuseum@louisiana.edu and we'll get in touch with you. Please provide your mailing address and phone number.

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