Big Red wine event set for Friday

Big Red Liquor’s 16th annual Wine and Food Festival will introduce patrons to more than 300 wines from around the world and showcase samplings of local restaurants’ select hors d’ouevres.

The event, benefitting the Boys and Girls Club of Bloomington, will take place from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Bloomington Convention Center.

Rob Williamson, a board member for Boys and Girls Club of Bloomington and the director of special events for Big Red Liquors, said he thinks it’s important for local businesses to take part in community organizations.

“It’s our responsibility as community leaders to support local charities,” Williamson said.

The event’s proceeds benefit the Boys and Girls Club’s Smart Moves program that educates 6- to 15-year-olds on alcohol awareness and refusal skills.

Shawna Meyer-Niederman, a Boys and Girls Club program director, said she is grateful that community businesses care to work for and help community organizations.

“Business leaders’ involvement in events like these show how people can work hard, earn every dollar they have and still want to return it to the community,” Meyer-Niederman said.

Patrons can also look forward to sampling appetizers from Bloomington restaurants such as Bucceto’s Pizza & Pasta, Janko’s Little Zagreb, Restaurant Tallent, Scholar’s Inn Bakehouse, Uptown Cafe, Malibu Grill, Finch’s Brasserie, Moe’s Southwest Grill and Ivy Tech Culinary School.

David Tallent, a chef for Restaurant Tallent, said he is looking forward to being a part of the event again this year.

“It’s a good event for a good cause,” said Tallent. “It’s the least I can do to do my part in the community.”