Below area list of lodging packages in Leelanau, Benzie & Traverse City and the surrounding area for the 2012 Traverse City Wine & Art Festival, held Saturday, June 30, 2012. (click for tickets without packages)

The Comfort Inn Wine And Art Festival package will cost $179 per night plus tax, with a Friday and Saturday night stay required. The package includes lodging for two in your choice of a King Hot Tub room or a room with two queen beds. Two tickets to the Wine and Art Festival are included as is our delicious hot breakfast each morning.

The Cambria Suites Traverse City offers a Wine & Art Festival Lodging Package for $398 which includes lodging in a King Suite on Friday and Saturday and two tickets to the Festival.

The Best Western Four Seasons of Traverse City offers a Wine & Art Festival Lodging Package for $358 which includes lodging in a King Spa room on Friday and Saturday and two tickets to the Festival.

Summer 2012 will sizzle as you arrive on our sparkling shoreline, private sand beach, private gardens and your Bay front suite at Vintage Earth Beach House. Then add in the thrill of Traverse City’s Wine and Art Festival complimentary tickets and complimentary breakfasts. Rates from $125 per person, per night based on minimum double occupancy, two night minimum, group reservation welcome.

The newly renovated Econo Lodge of Traverse Citywelcomes you with a special rate of $304.90 +tax for a two night stay plus two Wine and Art Festival tickets and a special gift at check in. Whether you’re coming with your honey or with friends, chose between rooms with one king or two queen beds. Rooms with spa tubs may be available. We are located on the southwest side of Traverse City at Chums Corners.

The Grand Traverse Resort & Spa offers a Wine & Art Festival Package including 1 night stay, festival tickets, and transportation to and from the event starting at $116.50 plus taxes and resort fee, per person, based on double occupancy in the hotel. Call 800-748-0303 for more details.

Kathleen Swinehart has a cool set of photos from the 2011 Traverse City Wine & Art Festival on Flickr including the one to the right.

Shannon & Cortney Case of Michigan By the Bottle have a nice set of TCWF photos on Facebook.

TCWF Photographer Mark O’Shaughnessy put together this great slideshow of photos from the 2011 Traverse City Wine & Art Festival and also has an album right here on Facebook!

Brad Aspey of Interlochen Public Radio has a nice feature on Claudia Schmidt joining Rachel Davis and Shout Sister Shout this Saturday at the Traverse City Wine & Art Festival.

Click the link above to listen to it!

This morning we woke up and checked the weather from Weather.com for the weekend. In a word – PERFECT! Mostly sunny, upper 70s – incredible!

Remember that everyone who buys advance tickets is entered to win a package of 2 tickets to FIVE wine events!

Make sure to bring cash for the great restaurants & artists we have at the festival!

This weekend is an incredible art weekend in Traverse City with an art-themed Friday Night Live and the Downtown Art Fair starting at 10 AM on Saturday!

Don’t forget that there’s a Fashion Is Art competition at the festival and a chance to win an $1100 spa getaway and wine touring package!

Over the weekend of the Traverse City Wine & Art Festival (Aug 19 & 20) Traverse City comes alive with art and artists.

On Friday night (Aug 19) from 5:30 – 9:00 PM, it’s Friday Night Live. The theme is “Art’s Alive” and you can celebrate the arts with the Great Lakes Children’s Museum Kid’s Art Fair along with live entertainment on Front Street.

Then on Saturday (Aug 20) from 10 AM – 5 PM, about 70 Midwest and national artists will showcase their work along Cass Street for the annual Downtown Art Fair on Saturday, August 20.

Get details on both of these events at www.downtowntc.com and then be sure to come out for the 2011 Traverse City Wine & Art Festival from 3-10 PM on Saturday the 20th at Village at Grand Traverse Commons!

Photo credit: 2010 Traverse City Wine & Art Festival by KatSwinehart

Read more about our music right here!

3:00 – 4:30 Claudia Schmidt Funtet
4:30 – 4:45 Dance I
4:45 – 5:15 Sweet Adelines
5:15 – 5:30 Dance II
5:30 – 6:15 Shout Sister Shout
6:15 – 6:45 Fashion is Art Industry Show
6:45 – 7:30 Shout Sister Shout w/ Claudia Schmidt
7:30 – 7:45 Dance III
7:45 – 8:15 Fashion Is Art Finalists
8:15 – 9:45 Steppin’ In It

Chris L MacKellar Fisher posted this to the Traverse City Wine and Art Festival on Facebook – we’re hoping you heed her words and get your tickets today or at the door at the festival on Saturday!

I had such a great time last year, but this year I have a wedding to attend! Hopefully next year people will NOT schedule weddings for this day! For those of you thinking of attending, definitely GO! It is so awesome, and this year, be prepared to dance! Relax and take a few friends! Great way to spend a Saturday!

Photo: Pride, ©nicole wamsley by Through My Eyes, Nicole Wamsley (astra.amara)