West Alabama Food and Wine Festival marks second year in Northport

The West Alabama Food and Wine Festival on Sunday will celebrate its second year in Northport.

The festival, which showcases the best dishes from dozens of area restaurants and benefits the West Alabama Food Bank, will be held on Main Avenue in downtown Northport.

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According the event's website, the West Alabama Food and Wine Festival is officially sold out. Gates will open at 3:30 p.m. for VIP ticketholders and at 4 p.m. for all other ticketholders. Entertainment will be provided by Three’s Company at 3:30 p.m. and Fents the Band at 5:30 p.m.

Organizers say last year's festival raised $40,000 for the West Alabama Food Bank and the festival's board of directors anticipate another successful event, according to a news release.

"Last year's event was a huge success in downtown Northport because it allowed us to cater to a much larger crowd and get great exposure for the West Alabama Food Bank,” said Brandon Tribble, co-chair of the West Alabama Food and Wine Festival and owner of Central Mesa.

“We expect to have a great crowd again this year and raise even more money for our beneficiaries. Our team is grateful to the city of Northport for their hospitality and support, and we can't wait for another successful event," he said.

Last year, The festival celebrated its first year in downtown Northport after a five-year run at the Tuscaloosa River Market at 1900 Jack Warner Parkway.

This year, the festival will also raise money for Tuscaloosa's Turning Point, which is the second-oldest domestic violence shelter in the state of Alabama, serving and supporting survivors for more than 35 years, the release states.

“These remarkable organizations tirelessly champion invaluable causes that enrich and nourish the lives of our fellow community members,” said Debbie Puckett, co-chair of the West Alabama Food and Wine Festival and Realtor for Keller Williams-Tuscaloosa.

“Turning Point, a beacon of hope for survivors of domestic violence, empowers individuals to break free from the cycle of abuse, nurturing healing, and fostering long-lasting change. Meanwhile, West Alabama Food Bank serves as a lifeline, providing sustenance to families facing food insecurity, ensuring that no one in our community goes to bed hungry," Puckett said.

"The West Alabama Food & Wine Festival is honored to lend our support to these two beneficiaries so we can help further their transformative work,” she said.

Since 2013, the West Alabama Food and Wine Festival has raised more than $150,000 for nonprofits in West Alabama, the release states.

Reach Jasmine Hollie at JHollie@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: West Alabama Food and Wine Festival marks second year in Northport