Organizers cancel 2020 Wine & Food Fest., hosting virtual fundraiser

BILLINGS – Organizers are cancelling the 2020 Wine & Food Festival at Montana State University Billings due to COVID-19 concerns.

The event, organized by the MSU Billings Foundation was initially scheduled for May 11-16, but was then postponed to Oct. 9-10. The MSU Billings Foundation says in a release they garnered $380,000 at the event in 2019, and a total of $6 million since the first ever Wine & Food Festival in 1993 — funding scholarships for MSUB students annually.

“It is with a heavy heart that we made this decision,” President and CEO Bill Kennedy said in the release. “Wine & Food Festival is a community favorite event for many who want to see MSUB students succeed. We hope to have their continued support with our scholarship campaign through September.”

Although this year’s event is cancelled, the MSU Billings Foundation says they are going ahead with raising scholarship money for students virtually. The foundation is matching gifts of up to $125,000 delegated to the Montana Access Scholarship, giving $1000 to 250 students, according to the release.

The MSU Billings Foundation says they have raised more than $75,000 and counting for this year’s festival.

“There are hundreds of people who partner with us each year in support of our students, which is why we take the matter of keeping them safe very seriously,” Jeanne Moller, who has organized the festival for more than 20 years, said in the release. “Since many students need our help now, perhaps more than ever, this campaign gives our friends a safe way to unite for MSU Billings this fall.”

The foundations says they are planning to hold the Wine & Food Festival May 2021 and will share updates as they find out more.