A.V.'S LABOR DAY CELEBRATIONS TO ADD WINE, FOOD.

Byline: Daily News

PALMDALE -- A wine and food festival has been added to events at this year's A.V. Labor Day Sky Parade Hot Air Balloon Race, to be held at held at Marie Kerr Park.

Also planned is a diverse assortment of entertainers and ``special shape'' balloons including Smokey Bear, the Energizer Bunny and Mickey Mouse.

The race is a fundraiser for several local charities.

The event will be held Labor Day weekend, Sept. 2-4 at the park, 39700 30th St. West, Palmdale.

AV Winery, Agua Dulce Vineyards, Cameo Vineyards and Leona Valley Winery will host the wine tasting.

A grape stomp, reminiscent of one classic ``I Love Lucy'' episode, and a Lucy and Ricky Ricardo look-alike contest are planned.

Several local restaurants will offer their masterpieces to complement the wine selections.

There will be a fashion show, demonstrations and other local performers to entertain the crowd, along with a kid's activity tent.

The four wine sponsors held a special wine tasting July 19 at the Palmdale Chamber of Commerce luncheon. Guest judges were Palmdale Mayor James Ledford, Natasha Hampton from Clear Channel Radio, Mike Kicenski from Adelphia, Dae McCallister from Palmdale Playhouse, Palmdale Chamber chairwoman Eva Eveland and AV Labor Day Sky Parade balloonmeister Don Kissack.