Wine & Swine is Back

The family-oriented fundraising festival returns to Silver Coast Winery on Saturday, May 28.

Grissettown Longwood Fire and Rescue’s fundraiser, Wine & Swine BBQ Festival, is back for 2022, but it has made a few adjustments after COVID sidetracked it for the past two years. Instead of having a barbecue cook-off, the firefighters at Grissettown Longwood Fire and Rescue in Ocean Isle Beach will prepare the barbecue plates at the station and bring the food to Silver Coast Winery, where the festival is being held.

“We’re cooking our own barbecue,” says Fire Chief Talbot Grissett, explaining that the department bought 250 pounds of pork and 50 pounds of chicken for the event.

The BBQ plates include either BBQ pork or BBQ chicken with baked beans, cole slaw and a roll for $10. Those who want a combo with pork and chicken can order a plate for $15. Firefighters, volunteers and friends will prepare funnel cakes, fried Oreos, shaved ice and cotton candy for sale at the winery. All proceeds benefit the fire department.

“We’re not doing the cook-off because of the cost of pork and gas,” says Susan Barnes, manager and events coordinator for Silver Coast Winery at its Carolina Shores and Ocean Isle Beach locations. “We wanted to focus on raising money since we haven’t been able to do this for two years.”

The festival will also offer activities for the entire family. The Kids’ Zone features an inflatable slide, a fire safety education trailer and the department’s new Heavy Rescue 31 Fire Engine.

“The rescue truck will be set up and on display,” Grissett says. “It’s pretty amazing.”

Carolyn Gnam, secretary-treasurer of the fire department’s board, agrees. “The fire fighters designed the truck themselves,” she says. “It’s not a fire-fighting vehicle. It has no connection to water.”

Grissett says the truck is capable of rescuing anybody from any type of entrapment and explains that recently a man was pinned under the dashboard, but the firefighters were able stabilize the man’s vehicle and extricate him because of the capabilities of the heavy rescue truck.
The money raised at the festival will buy the firefighters’ personal safety gear, which includes air packs, pants, boots, helmets and other items, Grissett says. The department staff, 13 of whom are full- or part-time employees and seven of whom are volunteers, serves 4,000 residences.

Gnam says the increased population of the county requires the department to be prepared.

“We’re doing long-range planning,” she says. “We don’t want to be catching up.”

At least 20 vendors will display and sell their handmade wares at the festival. Visitors can choose from wind chimes, candles, bird houses, jewelry and a host of other crafts. “Most are handmade crafts,” Barnes says.

The winery will offer wine tastings, and the Opportunity Rocks band, specializing in ‘60s and ‘70s popular rock songs, will provide music at no charge from 12 until 4 pm.

“The purpose of the band is to help charities in the area,” says Dennis Covelli, keyboardist for the nine-member band. “We raise money for charities all around the area.”

Barnes emphasizes that there is no admission charge but donations will be accepted. All the money raised will benefit the department.

“Grissettown Longwood Fire and Rescue is a rural department,” she says. “It doesn’t get the funding that city departments get.”

Grissett encourages everyone to come out and support the local vendors. “Come out and visit us that day. Stop by and see the crafts and buy the food.”

Want to go?
Wine & Swine BBQ Festival
Grissettown Longwood Fire and Rescue Fundraiser
Saturday, May 28, 11 am to 4 pm
Silver Coast Winery, 6680 Barbeque Road, Ocean Isle Beach

For information:
Silver Coast Winery: (910) 287-2800, silvercoastwinery.com
Grissettown Longwood Fire and Rescue: (910) 287-3030, grissettownfire.com