Get jazzed about N.J. wines at the Jazz It Up Wine Festival

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The Jazz it Up Wine Festival will be held Sept. 5 and 6 at historic Allaire State Park. New Jersey’s largest wine festival will feature 17 Garden State Wine Growers Association wineries, nearly 300 locally produced wines to sample, live jazz performances, kids’ activities, and delicious food and craft vendors. The festival will run from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Festival attendees will have the opportunity to sample wines or set up a picnic on the lawn while listening to the jazz. On Saturday, the Dirk Quinn Band will take to the stage, and on Sunday, The Jazz Lobsters will perform.

An assortment of foods will be available all weekend. Nomad Pizza of Hopewell will serve rustic wood-fired pizzas, while food trucks like the Mexiflip Taco Truck and Oink & Moo BBQ will also be serving. Waffle de Lys creates Belgian waffles, perfect for both the ice wines and ports available at the winery tents. Craft vendors will offer an assortment of jams, jellies, sauces, pastas, vinegars, oils and more.

Tickets are $25 per person; non-tasters and those under 21 are free. Tickets can be purchased online at a $5 discount, which is available through Sept. 4. Admission includes a souvenir wine glass that can be used to sample the wines. There is a $5 state park parking donation. Allaire State Park is located at 4263 Atlantic Ave. in Wall. For more information, visit www.newjerseywines.com.