Paella in the Park Returns for 5th Annual Celebration in Traverse City’s Open Space – Friday, August 15

Traverse City’s popular Paella in Park returns to the Open Space along the banks of Grand Traverse Bay, Friday, August 15. The fifth annual culinary and music event is a collaboration among the Wineries of Old Mission Peninsula, Tent Venue and Porterhouse Productions.

Paella in the Park runs from 5-10pm and feature the wines of Old Mission Peninsula offered at a custom wine bar and executive chefs who prepare several unique recipes of Spanish paellas in 36” pans on-site. Chefs will use featured wines and fresh local ingredients in their preparations. For the first time this year, patrons will be also be able to enjoy five specifically paired craft brews from Short’s Brewery.

Paella is a Valencian rich dish that originated in its modern form in the mid-19th century near Lake Albufera, a lagoon in Valencia – on the east coast of Spain. Paella in the Park is the largest Paella festival in the Midwest United States.

Music for the event will have a Latin flair with returning crowd favorite Grupo Aye’, a 10 piece Cuban Salsa Band, Rootstand a jamming bluegrass Michigan band, Ryan Montbleau an awarding winning R&B Artist and Spanish guitar duo Younce Guitar. The venue will be the unique Tent Venue Saddle Span structures offering shade and a one of a kind atmosphere in the nation.

On Saturday, August 16 – the public is invited to check out the TC Waterman SUP (Stand Up Paddleboard) Challenge, the Midwest’s largest SUP event, also planned for the Open Space and waters of Grand Traverse West Bay.

Online tickets to Paella in the Park are on sale now at www.porterhouseproductions.com and www.MyNorthTickets.com. Tickets will also be available for purchase at Curbie Food Truck, located at Little Fleet and the MyNorth ticket office.

Tickets are $30 in advance or $40 at the door and include a commemorative wine glass, two (02) 4 oz. wine pour tokens, three (3) 4 oz. servings of paella and all entertainment.
Exclusive VIP packages are available for $500, which includes six (06) entrance tickets, reserved table w/linens, two (02) extra drink tokens per person (total 12 extra), as well as a private VIP festival entrance. Additional food and wine tickets will be available for purchase at the event for $3 each.

Proceeds from the event will support sustainable green event and intelligent design through non-profit Bay Area Recycling for Charities and the Wineries of Old Mission Peninsula.

Attendees are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance, as space is limited and often sell out early. This event is open to ages 21+, no exceptions. For more information on Paella in the Park, visit www.tentvenue.com.