Banners on Parade once again beautify Main Street, Placerville

Those walking on Main Street in downtown Placerville need only look up to see exceptional art.

The 2023 Banners on Parade were installed June 5 on Main Street’s light poles, where they will be on display through October and then auctioned off later that month.

Artists were invited to participate in the 19th annual outdoor art exhibit in February. The suggested theme for 2023 was “Images of Hope,” which inspired artists to submit drawings that featured their own interpretations of what hope means to them. Twenty-six artists were chosen to create their masterpieces.

Visitors can pick up a walking tour brochure in late June at businesses on Main Street or at the El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce. The Banners on Parade Committee suggests starting the tour at the southwest corner of Main and Sacramento streets, walking east on Main Street then crossing to the other side near the Ivy House parking lot to make the loop back, ending at the last banners on Sacramento Street near the post office.

For those who want to take a little piece of the journey home, keepsakes are available featuring the artists’ banner images: posters, postcards, coffee mugs, magnets and bookmarks — all part of Banners on Parade’s fundraising efforts, along with the auction.

Art professionals who assisted in judging the banners this year were Lucia Rothgeb and Lynell Phillips. They judged the banners just prior to the Images of Hope Garden Party in the Orchard at Rainbow Orchards, where the artworks premiered.

Winners for this year are:

• 1st place: “Light in my Darkest Night” by Laura Van Sant

• 2nd place: “Shooting Stars – Hope for the Future” by Judy Arrigotti

• 3rd place: “Hope You Smile” by Shannon Deason

• Honorable Mention: “On the Road to El Dorado” by Sue Chapman

• Honorable Mention: “Hope in the

Light” by Deanna Huber

• Honorable Mention: “Hope of a New Day” by Bill Robinson

Starting in 2023, Banners on Parade is a now major annual event of Images of Hope El Dorado, which has taken over the nonprofit mantle from Placerville Art on Parade, the original name of the nonprofit organization that started this community art project in 2005. Images of Hope El Dorado has been a major sponsor of Banners on Parade for many years and this change will enable Banners on Parade to continue for many years to come. Also helping the organization were sponsors: Gold Country Artists Gallery, El

Dorado County Chamber of Commerce, Placerville Flowers on Main and donors for the Geoff Boyd Memorial Artist Award and Marianne Kalem Legacy Award.

This wonderful community art project is one of the longest-running exhibitions in California with 556 pieces of community art being displayed. In the first year of the exhibit (2005) artists painted wheelbarrows; in the second year of the exhibit (2006) artists painted wine barrels. From 2007 through 2023 artists painted canvas banners, for a total of 499 banners showcased on Main Street. For more information on the exhibit and auction visit PlacervilleArtonParade.org.

Holly’s Hill Vineyards expands with brewery

News release

Holly’s Hill Vineyards, renowned for its mountaingrown Rhône wines, has announced the grand opening of its new brewery. This exciting expansion introduces a diverse selection of craft beers, created with the same unwavering dedication to quality that has made its wines acclaimed. Situated on the same stunning grounds as the winery, the brewery features a range of classic beer styles skillfully crafted by co-winemaker Josh Bendick. He and his wife, Carrie Bendick, have been crafting wines in Pleasant Valley for more than two decades. They are in business with Carrie’s parents, Tom and Holly Cooper. Holly, the winery’s namesake, admits to having a stronger a nity for wine but is thrilled to o er something new that will appeal to a wide range of visitors.

“We believe that the introduction of our brewery will provide a unique and exciting experience for our guests, allowing them to explore and indulge in a diverse range of flavors,” she said. Josh has been a home brewer for years and took an intensive class at University of California, Davis where he further honed his craft. He is brewing on a two-barrel system, which produces about 60 gallons at a time.

“We’re thrilled to see the excitement from our customers about our new brewery. We’ve been adding hops to a wine called ‘Dry Hopped’ for years so it’s a natural progression to make this extra step,” Josh said.

The beers, like the wines, are created with balance in mind and a dedication to quality. The brewery is o ering pilsner, California common, hefeweizen, porter and a pale ale on tap to begin. Whether savoring renowned wines or indulging in the newly introduced brews, visitors can expect nothing less than exceptional quality and a captivating journey of sensory delight.

The winery and brewery hosts regular lunches, live music and has a year-round picnic deli for further customer enjoyment. This Sunday live music under the oaks starts at 1 p.m. featuring a Hill Country Bluegrass Jam session. No reservations needed.

For more information about Holly’s Hill Vineyards’ brewery venture visit hollyshill.com or contact Josh at josh@hollyshill.com.