Catalina Island Women’s Forum hosting wine festival

AVALON—The Catalina Island Women’s Forum (CIWF) is inviting everyone to join them for some beach-side wine at its main fundraising event of the year. The nonprofit organization is hosting its CIWF Wine Festival on Sept. 21 from 2-5 p.m. in Avalon.

The event has been going on for more than 15 years and helps raise funds for college scholarships for girls who are high school seniors. There will be more than 20 wineries from up and down the California coast, including Pianetta, Oceano, Pierini and Vinos Unidos. The event includes appetizers and there is no tasting limit. There will also be soothing live music and a silent auction featuring hotel stays and plane rides around the island, among other items.

Tickets cost $80 or $70 for groups of 10 or more. Tickets can be purchased at catalinawinefest.com or by calling 323-686-2493.

CIWF assists women across Catalina Island through many charitable programs including scholarships and mentoring for high school girls, domestic violence prevention and women’s wellness. Their mission is to foster relationships based on developing the professional and personal growth of Catalina Island women.

The wine festival coincides with the Catalina Arts Festival, which is one of the longest running and most acclaimed art festivals in California. Artists from all over the country will be lined up along Crescent Avenue selling their works of fine art, sculpture, fine crafts and photography. Highlights include a charity art auction and kids art show. The Catalina Arts Festival runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sept. 20-22.