What's newStompers will compete for grape vine glory
To be one of the greats in this sport, you need teamwork, endurance and dedication. But leave your high-priced athletic shoes at home — unless you want to dye them red, that is.
Once again, grape-filled barrels will be the battle grounds for deciding who is the champion of the Lodi Grape Festival and Harvest Fair’s Grape Stomp, held Saturday, Sept. 18.
In previous years, the stomp was held on multiple days of the festival, but this year, all events will be held on one juicy Saturday at the new Pier 413 entertainment area.
Organizers decided to move The Stomp, as it is popularly known, to the Saturday afternoon of the festival to take advantage of when most people are at the fairgrounds and increase participation and spectators.
“If they miss it this year, they must be in a cloud,” said Mark Armstrong, the Grape Festival and Harvest Fair’s general manager.
Teams of two from community service groups and local businesses to families and friends will compete in their own heats, along with special kid’s stomps held during the afternoon.
Brent Newport, one of Lodi High School’s Future Farmers of America advisers, has watched entrants from the club’s chapter excel over the years to come away with multiple winning titles in the community service group.
While their teams don’t go to training camp or endure grueling practices to prepare for the event, they do talk to those who have crushed the grapes before to learn special techniques, Newport said.
One of these strategies is for one partner to reach down into the vat, while still stomping, and clear a mesh screen so more juice can flow down.
But there are no tricks or cheating ways to winning the grape stomp contest.
The event isn’t without its rivalries, either. The Lodi High FFA team lost to Tokay High’s FFA team amid a mild controversy last year. Lodi High’s FFA took second place in the final community service team heat, even though Tokay High’s winning team did not advance from earlier heats, Newport said.
Both teams will meet again in the vats this year, perhaps to settle the score, red feet and all.
Matthew Bronson, the FFA adviser at Tokay High School, said a girl who was on the winning team last year will compete again along with several other students.
“Our kids are excited. They want to give everyone a run for their money,” he said.
Rookies and seasoned vets are welcome to participate in this year’s stomp. You don’t need big feet to be a success at grape stomping, Armstrong said, but you will need shoes you don’t mind ruining. Grape juice can leave quite the red stain on your sneakers.
Contest organizers use Alacante grapes because of their red juice, which is easier to see in the clear, plastic containers that measure how many inches of the rouge liquid have been squeezed out.
The team that squashes out the most juice will reap one of many prizes, such as bottles of wine, festival ride passes and food coupons.
Kids stomps will be held at 1 and 5 p.m. and an open stomp will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 18.
To enter, teams of two or singles can call the festival offices at 369-2771, come by the offices at 413 E. Lockeford St. or for the first time ever sign up the day of the event.
