Hundreds welcome summer with food, wine and fun

DEL MAR — More than 700 people sampled everything from a pomegranate rita and deviled egg puree to micro greens and Middle East Conflict at Del Mar Village Association’s 18th annual Summer Solstice held June 20 at Powerhouse Park. 

About two dozen chefs from area restaurants and representatives from local wineries and breweries provided tastings during the three-hour event held to kick off summer.

Activities also included live music, feathered guests from Free Flight exotic bird sanctuary and a silent auction featuring vacation and spa packages, passes to the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, overnight stays at area hotels, gift certificates to local restaurants, jewelry, artwork and a large red hat for opening day at the Del Mar Racetrack.

All 700 tickets, at $65 each, were sold out in advance. Proceeds support the DMVA’s downtown revitalization efforts.

For the curious, Middle East Conflict is a pomegranate wine with cardamom pods and mint leaves.