ETC opens 2008 season with wines, desserts and music

Crowd

Hundreds set out blankets or lawn chairs, visited the booths and listened to music at Sunday's event.

Red square See the Faces in the Crowd -- click here.

Hundreds attended Sunday's kick-off event at Lake Clementia Park for the 2008 Entertainment, Theatre and Culture for Rancho Murieta summer season. They enjoyed a selection of wines from award-winning local wineries and desserts created by notable restaurants and bakery chefs. Live music was provided by Robert Monteleone's Symposium Jazz Band.

The gala occasion was a preview of the new season and offered attendees the opportunity to become ETC members. The first concert -- Joel Mason's tribute to Elton John -- takes place at Lake Clementia Amphitheater June 7.

More information about ETC and summer nights of entertainment at the lake is available here.

Food

Sweet treats -- lots of chocolate -- were available.

ETC tent

ETC was one of the organizations under a tent, signing up new members.

Wine

Windwalker was among the wineries pouring for visitors. Other wineries participating were Sobon Family Wines, Dobra Zemlja Winery, Todd Taylor Wines and Plaza Foods.

Cake

Tracycakes offered hundreds of sample-sized tastes of cake, each with "ETC" written on top. Desserts were also provided by Stonehouse Restaurant, Taste Restaurant, MarShaTes, Rancho Murieta Country Club, Plaza Foods and Nugget Markets.

Band

Robert Monteleone's Symposium Jazz Band entertained the crowd.