Murphys, CA — An annual Fall tradition, the Calaveras Grape Stomp and Gold Rush Street Faire was held Saturday in downtown Murphys.
Vendors were lined up along Main Street, and stompers were packed into Murphys Community Park. The Calaveras Winegrape Alliance reports that over $10,000 was raised during the benefit auction.
The event, always held during the first weekend of October, raises money for local community causes and CWA’s high school scholarship program.
For the second year in a row, the Dwelley Devastators came out on top in the Grape Stomp. The team of Eddie and Erica Dwelley was sponsored by Ron Dwelley and had an impressive 18.99 pounds of juice in the bucket during the final round. In second place was Scott and Tammy Hancock from School Street Winery with 15.26 pounds and in third was Matt and Valerie Hatcher from Hatcher Winery with 14.57 pounds of juice.
120 teams were entered, each made up of a stomper and a swabber. They included groups sponsored by local wineries, several other businesses, and the general public.
There was also a costume contest, and a pair of teams dressed as Elvis were the fan favorites this year.
