By Steven Sanchez
The 3rd Annual Boots N’ Booze took place at Evanelle Vineyards on Saturday, June 28. They went bigger and bolder this year in comparison to 2024.
The event sold out, with 1,500 people from the Central Valley showing up in their country hats and boots, gearing up for a good time.
This summer’s festivities featured significant upgrades, including a new parking lot, two DJs (one outside and one inside), and a diverse selection of food and cowboy attire from the vendors.
The owners, Evan and Lauren Curto, use the vineyard primarily as a venue for weddings and outdoorsy events like movie nights. But a couple of nights in the summer, they turn it into a honky tonk heaven.
Lauren told The Fresno Flyer that this year’s event met and exceeded expectations. They heard the testimonials of the attendees and decided to turn it up a notch.
“Every year we’re trying to make it bigger and better. This year we opened up a whole new section for the vendor village to spread the crowd out and make it less packed. We opened a VIP section and give them luxury restrooms. With the new parking lot…we listened to our guests that come here and elevate it every year to try make it the best experience possible,” said Evan.
No lie, the variety was ridiculous. Outside on the main stage, DJ Garrett Gaynor was laying down the tracks and pumping the crowd up throughout the night with country, classic rock, and hip hop jams. People crowded the stage and moved about to the music all night long. They had the Boots ‘N’ Booze girls on the stage throwing shirts into the crowd. Now and then, Evan would join Gaynor and get on the microphone to excite the audience.
The headlining act was The Brodie Stewart Band, who played classic hits from Lynyrd Skynyrd to Johnny Cash. Whether you wanted to dance the two-step or rock out, they provided the music to satisfy all tastes.
Inside, there was another DJ from GTE Event Group, keeping the party going if you wanted to be in an air-conditioned area. Whether it was on the grass and cement outside or the wooden floor inside, there was plenty of movin’ and groovin’. The party never stopped.
When it came to the eats, vendors like Gonzalez Taqueria, Jill & Jill Pizza, Flavor Flame, Yohibachi, Let’s Get Mini Donuts, Rice on Wheels, Brandt Brothers Shaved Ice, B&C Concessions, and All American Food Stand pleased all appetites.
For those who wanted to puff on a stogie, Aldo’s Cigars was the place, whether you were craving something strong or smooth; they delivered.
If you wanted your fashion to match the theme, you could visit Cultura Vaquera, Kash + Easton, or Custom Collegiate Hat Bar to make you look like a cowboy or rodeo queen. They were also selling Boots N’ Booze shirts and hats.
There were plenty of other fun offerings, such as mechanical bull riding and beer pong. People also took the time to pose for photo ops in the vineyard with the sunset in the background, which created amazing scenery. Or, if you just wanted to chill, there were so many people camped out on the lawn with chairs and blankets, soaking up the vibes.
The Central Valley loves its country, but there isn’t a big variety of events to choose from. Evanelle Vineyards has capitalized on the things that make the genre popular and why it should be the good to shindig for those wanting to hoedown.
“It’s a unique experience…I always say we have a lot of people out here, but it’s a really intimate experience. Everyone is connected, we don’t have a lot of issues out here. Everybody can be up near the stage…inside the venue with the A/C it can be a nightclub…We’re different from a lot of other spots, it’s not just a country concert, it’s an experience,” said Evan.
The next one will be on August 23.
For more information: https://www.instagram.com/bootsnbooze_/?hl=en
