Monday, September 27, 1999
Wine fest ends without mishap
Precautions: new roads, extra police
BY DAVID ECK
Enquirer contributor
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP — Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers arrested six drivers for driving under the influence, but there were few other problems at the Valley Vine yards Wine Festival, which wrapped up Saturday.
There were no car crashes related to the festival.
After a driver drove over two campers last year, festival organizers paid for extra officers to patrol this year's event — especially the 10-acre campground, where about 750 campsites were set up — spent $1,000 adding roads to the campground and marked off specific areas to keep cars away from campers.
“It really worked out really well,” said vineyard owner Ken Schuchter. “It really amazed me that (drivers and campers) stayed in those designated areas.”
At last year's fest, Kenneth Stinson of Delhi Township drove over Katie Pierman of Miamiville and Christina Meyers of Springfield Township, who were sleeping in a tent nine hours after the festival closed. Both suffered broken bones and other injuries.
Mr. Stinson was under the influence of alcohol, police said. He is serving an 18-month prison sentence.
During the festival weekend in 1993, two members of the Schuchter family were assaulted when someone broke into their home. A camper was arrested, but a jury acquitted him.
The festival attracts about 50,000 and offers tours of the family-run winery, food, musical performances, grape-stomping contests and other activities. Overall, the festival has a safe track record, police have said.
Mr. Schuchter opened up the campground about 15 years ago for those who have had too much wine and can't drive.
“We have more people all the time, but our sales are less,” he said. “I just feel that people are more careful now, because people don't want to get in trouble. They want to come out here and have a good time.”
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