“It’s the Catalina Wine Mixer!” and “POW!” were some of the phrases shouted across Descanso Beach Club this last Sunday at the first ever Original Catalina Wine Mixer. Dates for the 2016 event will be announced shortly, according to the Santa Catalina Island Company.
“It’s the Catalina Wine Mixer!” and “POW!” were some of the phrases shouted across Descanso Beach Club this last Sunday at the first ever Original Catalina Wine Mixer. Dates for the 2016 event will be announced shortly, according to the Santa Catalina Island Company.
The “Step Brothers” inspired event held by the Island Company, Xceptional Music and Island Express Helicopters attracted more than 1,450 attendees to the beach club for an afternoon of entertainment, helicopters and wine from Trinchero Family Estates’ wineries. Until this weekend, a Catalina Wine Mixer in the style of the film was only fiction, but Ben Villalobos, food and beverage director for the Santa Catalina Island Company, made fiction a reality.
“‘Step Brothers’ has such a tremendous following, and has made Catalina Island synonymous with the Catalina Wine Mixer,” he said. “The Original Catalina Wine Mixer is an event we needed to do.”
The cult phenomenon from “The Hangover,” The Dan Band, headlined the event with covers including “Turn Around” and their unique take on the film classic “Por Ti Volare.”
Supporting entertainment came from American Idol’s Adam Lasher and frequent island performer Tom Solis. Other highlights of the event included the opportunity to pose with an event-branded helicopter, sample food from Ben’s Bakery, Avalon Grille and Descanso Beach Club.
Fun and entertainment aside, the Original Catalina Wine Mixer helped an important island cause, the Santa Catalina Island Fund, which provides scholarships to local island residents to help youth attend university. SCIF will receive a charitable donation of $6,132.50, comprised from a portion of the event’s proceeds.
“For its first year, the event entirely exceeded our expectations,” said Villalobos.
“In the lead up to the event, we received media coverage on TMZ.com, BuzzFeed and People.com, and during the event, we heard tremendously positive feedback. We can’t wait for next year,” said Villalobos.
