In April 2021, Kristin Hokanson and her husband, John, bought the Fiorelli Winery and Vineyard and faced months of work to get the winery in order.
Headed into July that year, they were ready for a celebration.
The first Red, White and Blueberry Celebration was thrown together to celebrate the upcoming holiday, along with all the hard work that had been accomplished.
Now five years later, The pre-July 4 celebration has become the winery’s most well attended event.
“Every year, it’s just gotten better and better,” Kristin Hokanson said June 28 on the night of this year's celebration. “We’ve continually grown and added more elements, such as partnering with Suncoast Charities for Children, bringing in outside craft vendors, and partnering with great bands.”
The country band One Night Rodeo performed at the June 28 event, and students and teachers from the Music Compound also entertained the crowd.
“Fourth of July is about the community — bringing people together and celebrating America,” Hokanson said. “We look forward to continuing the tradition.”
Kristin Hokanson, the Fiorelli Winery owner, says the Red, White and Blueberry Celebration gets bigger and better each year.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Sarasota's Ivana Zavala More swings with her 17-month-old daughter Isabella during the event.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Stevie Krumm, owner of Sarasota FLorist, is selling single stems and bouquets at the event.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
East County's Leah Cheese and Cathy Snyder attend Fiorelli Winery for fun, but Snyder used to work at the winery.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
East County's Gina Buckley and Ildi Hall are neighbors who decided to attend the Red, White and Blueberry Celebration together.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Sarasota's Carrie Santos and Twin Rivers Judy Young are enjoying the sunshine at the Red, White and Blueberry Celebration.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Ezekiel Moore is visiting his grandparents, Parrish's Mark and Andrea Carnes, who decided it would be fun to attend the Red, White and Blueberry Celebration at Fiorelli Winery.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Lisa Gaines and Stephanie Farquhar check in guests at the fifth annual Red, White and Blueberry Celebration at Fiorelli Winery.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Bradenton's Herman and Oriana Armas Gil attend the Red, White and Blueberry celebration with their 1-year-old son Milan and 3-year-old daughter Aldana.
Photo by Lesley Dwyer
Fiorelli Winery and Vineyard hosts the fifth annual Red, White and Blueberry Celebration June 28.
Lesley Dwyer is a staff writer for East County and a graduate of the University of South Florida. After earning a bachelor’s degree in professional and technical writing, she freelanced for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Lesley has lived in the Sarasota area for over 25 years.
