MARC Community Resources, in partnership with Liberty Bank, will host its annual Denim & Diamonds fundraiser at the historic Saint Clements Castle in Portland on May 2. Sponsored by Sammy’s Buy-Rite Liquors, the 11th-annual tasting event will feature more than 15 wine, beer and spirit distributors, a silent auction, live music, passed hors d’oeuvres and stir-fry stations. Event proceeds will benefit MARC Community Resources, a nonprofit organization dedicated to provide assistance for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities with housing, employment, social and community services.

The 13th annual Rising Pint Brewfest returns to Rentschler Field on May 11, with beer from more than 60 craft breweries on tap for guests, along with eats from popular food truck vendors, including Spot on Tacos, Bear’s Smokehouse BBQ, The Big Cheese, Hop Häus, Randy’s Wooster Street Pizza Shop, Big Enzo’s BBQ, Big Bad Wolf, Sno ‘N’ Dough and Holy Smokez BBQ. Bands Booyah and 7 Below will play live music throughout the event. Proceeds will benefit The Reach Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to providing assistance to children who are in need, physically, socially and financially through programs, advocacy and more. Event is 21+. No children or pets. Rain or shine, no refunds.

Worldwide Wines will host a themed spring trade tasting at Gioia Café & Bar in New Haven on May 14. The Killer B’s tasting event will showcase top Burgundy, Bordeaux, Barolo, Brunello di Montalcino, Barbaresco and bubbly selections from Worldwide Wines’ portfolio. Sales representatives and account managers will be onsite to highlight brands and educate guests throughout the afternoon event. This event is trade only – please contact your sales representative.

Stonington Vineyards will host its annual Kick-Off to Summer Weekend with plenty of Stonington Vineyards wine. Guests will receive a glass of Stonington Vineyards wine with their tickets and access to each day’s festivities, which will include music from Big Dawg Isaac from 1-4 on Saturday and Ben Freiert & Jeff Lewis from 1-4 on Sunday. Vendors (more to be announced): Valomie Boutique, Naturally in the Woods, Papineau Studi, Roth Jewelry, Graciela Perrone Art, Krafty Girl Studio Walking Tree Creations, Dreaming Light Creations, Creative Pixie, Moonchild Scented Creations, Bewitched of Scituate, Cutie Curls RI and Supa Dupa Food Truck among offerings. Event is outdoors, rain or shine.

Stonington Vineyards will host its annual Kick-Off to Summer Weekend with plenty of Stonington Vineyards wine. Guests will receive a glass of Stonington Vineyards wine with their tickets and access to each day’s festivities, which will include music from Big Dawg Isaac from 1-4 on Saturday and Ben Freiert & Jeff Lewis from 1-4 on Sunday. Vendors (more to be announced): Valomie Boutique, Naturally in the Woods, Papineau Studi, Roth Jewelry, Graciela Perrone Art, Krafty Girl Studio Walking Tree Creations, Dreaming Light Creations, Creative Pixie, Moonchild Scented Creations, Bewitched of Scituate, Cutie Curls RI and Supa Dupa Food Truck among offerings. Event is outdoors, rain or shine.

The Thread City Hop Fest, an annual food and craft beer tasting event, will take place on at Jillson Square in Willimantic on May 19, 2024. Attendees will enjoy samples from more than 70 breweries from throughout New England. This event is rain or shine. Organized by the Willimantic Brewing Company on behalf of Willimantic Renaissance, Inc., proceeds from the Hop Fest benefit more than 15 charities including The No Freeze Project, Willimantic Renaissance, Inc. and Vulturetown Arts. Event is 21+. No children or pets allowed.

Foxwoods Resort Casino is hosting the annual Tacos & Tequila Fiesta in its Rainmaker Expo on June 1, 2024. Guests will enjoy tacos and tequila samples from dozens of brands, along with cocktails, live music and mechanical bull rides among the festivities. See last year’s highlights here.

The Beardsley Zoo will host its annual Wild Wine Beer & Food Safari on June 1. Guests will have the opportunity to taste food, beer and wine from dozens of vendors while taking in museum exhibits and visiting its many animals. Other entertainment will include live music, games and a silent auction. Presented by Turnpike Spirit Shop & Wine Emporium, participating venues include The Blind Rhino, The Bites Company, Caribe Soul, Dave Grant Caters, Fortuna’s Catering, Garden Catering, Hot Monkey Nuts, Lesser Evil Snacks, Little Pub, Luna Azzurra Italiano, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Nuovo Pasta, Open Door Tea, Rose Sisters Chips, Taco Loco, Vazzy’s and more. Opened in 1922, the Beardsley Zoo is Connecticut’s only zoo and is home to more than 300 animals. The annual tasting event is the zoo’s largest fundraiser with proceeds to benefit care of the zoo’s endangered species, expansion of exhibits and educational programming.

New Hartford’s Ski Sundown will host the 13th-annual Litchfield Hills Brewfest on June 8, 2024. A variety of local craft beers, wines, ciders and spirits will be available for tasting along with eats from food truck vendors. Guests will also have the opportunity to win prizes through silent auctions and raffles. Sponsored by Torrington Savings Bank and Nejaime’s Fine Wine & Spirits, event proceeds will benefit St. Maron Church, Brooker Memorial and Summit Adaptive Sports.

Wine Wizards will host a Spring Portfolio Tasting at its Rumford warehouse. Guests will have the opportunity to taste imported wine and spirits from Wine Wizards’ latest portfolio and discuss selections with visiting suppliers and the Wine Wizards team.  This is a trade-only event. Please contact your sales representative for more details.

Newport Vineyards will host its 21st Annual Spring Festival on May 4. During two sessions, guests will enjoy tastes of Newport Vineyards wine and Taproot beer at bars located around the Newport Vineyards grounds, along with live music and bites from the Newport Vineyards culinary team. Entertainment will include musical act The Naticks performing live, a grape stomping contest and a pie eating contest during each session. Star Wars fans are invited to dress at their favorite characters from the franchise for the event’s costume contest.

Taste of Rhode Island is a delicious celebration of Rhode Island’s great food, local spirits and live entertainment. Hosted by Pat Paolino, Pat Cruz Events and Lupe Aguilar, Rhody Foody, more than 50 of the state’s best restaurants, bakeries, caterers, wineries and breweries will be showcasing their offerings. More info to be announced soon. Entertainment and Special Guest Appearances by local celebrities; VIP area with Exclusive Champagne and Tastings; Special Raffle and Silent Auction benefiting MAE Organization for the Homeless.

The eighth-annual Ocean State Brewers Festival, dedicated exclusively to Rhode Island craft beer, will take place at Providence Brewing Company at Farm Fresh RI on Aug. 10. Guests still enjoy unique beers brewed just for the festival and poured by many of the brewers who made them. Proceeds will benefit the RI Brewers Guild. More information will be announced soon.

Providence’s Roger Williams Park Zoo will host its annual tasting event, Brew at the Zoo, on Aug. 24. Guests are invited to sample more than 170 craft beers, hard seltzers and ready-to-drink cocktails from more than 100 local and national producers and craft brewers. During the event, which is Rhode Island’s largest outdoor beer festival, ticket holders will enjoy live entertainment while viewing the zoo’s more than 150 animals from around the world. Proceeds from the fundraiser will benefit the zoo and will be used to provide care for its animals, as well as for educational and conservation programming.