The annual Berryessa Art & Wine festival is run by a core group of dedicated individuals, many of whom have worked on the festival committee for more than 15 years. It is a totally volunteer effort. Over the 30+ years since the festival began, the involvement of the City of San Jose has diminished and the majority of the responsibility for the festival is on this core group – the “steering committee”. Cory Barfield led the group from 1975 until his retirement in 2004. The next chairman is was Shannon Jones, who held the position until he moved out of the area in 2007. The current chairman is Chris Jew. He is the Deputy Superintendent for the Oak Grove School District, but he worked in Berryessa Union School District prior to this job and is still actively involved in our community.
The current festival includes 120-150 artist booths, 14 food booths (all run by non-profit groups from the Berryessa area), a Community Row area with booths from a variety of service groups and non-profits offering information to the festival goers, a Business Row with representatives from the Berryessa community and other local San Jose Businesses, a stage area with entertainment by local amateur entertainers as well as professional entertainment and booths from several local radio stations.
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