Hello Starkey Residents! This petition is specifically designed to assist in the CDD approval process for an annual Starkey Ranch Wine & Food Festival around the beautiful outdoor scenery of Cunningham Park. This is on the agenda for next week's CDD meeting, Wednesday 7/14 @ 6:00p. Anyone that is able to come in person to show support we would greatly appreciate it! Those that cannot, please sign this petition in support of the event! 

The initial vision is a multi-day outdoor event where local restaurants, wine shops, vendors, and distributors will set up tasting stations around the front of the park. We will have a focus on inviting Starkey Ranch resident businesses that fit this category and branch out to local businesses from there. My suggestion will be to host this event on Labor Day weekend.

The vendors will offer unique wine, liquor, and beer tastings and food items. Keeping in line with Starkey Ranch Wine Club's vision, we will focus on lesser known regions, varietals, styles etc. and accentuate that with a small education opportunity at each station for those that would like to learn a bit more while enjoying the festival.

I have a team of very talented residents that have tremendous experience in hospitality, event management, and logistics. We will make this event organized, safe, and fun for all residents. The vision is that this festival continues to evolve year-after-year and is the most highly anticipated event of the year. We believe there is a need for a great event in our community like this and with your help this will be a tremendous success!

To help give some context and credentials for this event, I am the creator of Starkey Ranch Wine Club which will host this festival. I have an extensive background in restaurant & event management along with a BS in Hospitality & Tourism Management from one of the top schools in the nation. I more recently had the opportunity to study wine for 2 years overseas in Europe. A combination of professional courses and travel to many of the most iconic wine regions in the world has molded me into the passionate wine professional I am today. I currently have credentials as a Certified Specialist of Wine, Advanced Level 3 in Wines with the Wine and Spirits Education Trust, American Wine Expert, and Argentina Wine Specialist. I have tremendous experience in planning and hosting special events and wine tasting while working in the restaurant industry and with several wine distributors. And again, we have a stellar team ready and willing to plan this great event. 

Starkey Ranch Wine Club has hosted tasting events at Cunningham Hall for the past couple years. I wanted to present what I believe will be a tremendously successful annual event for Starkey residents. From my experience in traveling, food & wine is the most successful catalyst in bringing different cultures together. I believe Starkey Ranch values these ideals, and would love the opportunity to showcase this at a special event. I would greatly appreciate your support by signing this petition and sharing with your fellow residents. Let's get tons of support to bring this event to life!