Live bluegrass by "Kickin Grass," wine tastings, arts and crafts, plenty of food, raffles, games and door prizes ‚Äì all will be part of "Kickin’ Back at the Vineyard," a fundraiser to be held at the Hinnant Family Vineyards and Winery on Saturday, May 10, 2008, to benefit the Bear Creek Center for people with disabilities in LaGrange.

Bear Creek Center, a member of the not-for-profit RHA Howell Care Centers network, supports and educates 125 people with intellectual and physical disabilities, many of whom require roind-the-clock staff assistance for their daily living needs. Each person living there has an individual plan with specific goals to educate and develop skills so they can function with as much independence as possible.

"We truly believe that people at every level of life’s skills deserve the chance to achieve a life filled with their own choices, and their own dreams," said Sam Hedrick, president, RHA Howell Care Centers. "Our mission is to open the world for people with disabilities and, in turn, enrich the lives of everyone they touch."

Hinnant Family Vineyards, located in Pine Level, will host the afternoon-long event that promises to appeal to anyone who enjoys bluegrass music, fine wine, good food and more within the natural beauty of a working wine vineyard, according to Debbie Valentine, events planner for Bear Creek Center. The vineyards are also conveniently located just off I-95 and Highway 70 between Smithfield and Goldsboro.

Kickin Grass (www.kickingrass.com) will headline the musical part of the day. Billed as "contemporary Carolina bluegrass with traditional roots," the band has produced two CDs: "Backroads" and "On The Short Rows." Dave Higgs of Bluegrass Breakdown on Nashville Public Radio said, “The band picks with power and authority and the vocals are sung with passion and grace. And, best of all, along the way, the band has forged its own unique sound. The original tunes are just stellar.”

More live music will be provided by "Digger Foot" and the "Flat Mountain Dulcimers."

Festivities will begin at noon and continue through 6 p.m. An Arts & Crafts Fair will feature the work of North Caroline artists and craftspeople along with other made-in-North-Carolina products. A live auction is also being planned, including a chance to bid on a collection of antiques. The winery will offer tastings of some of its award-winning wines. Other vendors will be on hand to provide an assortment of food.

"Kickin’ Back at the Vineyard" is being sponsored by WKIX (97.7 FM) of the Curtis Media Group, Southern Pharmacy Services, Frema Motors, Marcom Medical Consultants, the Kinston Indians, Wilbur’s Barbeque, and The Hinnant Family Vineyards, which is the largest muscadine vineyard in North Carolina.

Tickets ($20; children 12 and under free) are available now at the vineyard and online at www.rhahowell.org. More sponsorship opportunities, vendor sign-ups, and volunteer opportunities are available by contacting Debbie Valentine at 919-941-0530; dvalentine@rhanet.org. For directions to Hinnant Family Vineyards, visit www.hinnantvineyards.com.

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