BRIDGEWATER, Va.–Bluestone Vineyard hosted their biweekly music bingo night on Sept. 5 which began at 6:30pm, filling the main wine room with families, students, and community members in front of picture windows with views of the valley and the Shenandoah Mountains.
“I’m a frequent attendee of music bingo because I love wine and I love supporting local businesses at the same time,” Elizabeth Burzumato, a Bridgewater College graduate, said. “When they have music bingo, it’s just a grand ole time. It’s the most fun I have all week.”
Families and friends arrived about an hour before bingo started, buying bottles of wine and sitting down at tables. The event had a family friendly atmosphere and people from all age groups, creating a welcoming environment.
“Its parents, its teachers, and members of the community, all looking for a fun way to spend their evening,” Elizabeth said. “It’s competitive, but everyone has a smile on their face.”
The main bingo table had stacks of bingo cards, big speakers for the bingo music, and prizes of vineyard T-shirts and other merchandise, Bluestone gift cards, and bottles of wine. Players played three different categories: 60s &70s hits, 2000s pop hits, and alternative rock.
At 6:30, Mark, event coordinator, picked up his microphone and briefly explained the rules to the participants. He explained that the first topic would be 60s & 70s hits, and that if people were unclear, asking a neighbor was totally acceptable.
Winners celebrated loudly and some got up out of their seats in excitement.
“It’s usually the locals that come in, usually the regulars,” Vandevinder said. “They’re often the same people who stop by for a glass of wine during the week.”
According to the University of Australia, regularly attending local events can make a person have a strong sense of place in the community. In addition to this, the World Health Organization states that connection to community promotes a longer lifespan. The music bingo events certainly help the community in these aspects.
The music bingo wrapped up at nine o’clock. After the games ended, guests hung around on the outdoor patio and finished their wine while having conversations with each other.
“It’s not just about the bingo,” Burzumato said. “It’s about being together.”
“We hold music bingo about every other week”, Michelle Vandevinder,winekeeper at Bluestone for about a year, said”We also have trivia night.”
For more information on Bluestone Vineyard’s various events, feel free to visit: https://bluestonevineyard.com/events/
