The 24th Annual Solano Wine & Food Jubilee, held April 8, was a resounding success, says Chris Sweeney, event chairman. “The dust has barely settled and yet I am still in awe of the outstanding effort that went into making this year’s event such a huge success.”

The event was a sell-out, with just over 2,500 people attending, and raised a record $375,000 for NorthBay Hospice & Bereavement.

“While I have been involved with the Jubilee for many years, this was my first as chairman, and I now have a broader appreciation of the job at hand,” Sweeney says. “Watching all the volunteers and vendors make this ‘party of parties’ come together was truly amazing. I am already excited about what we can do for the 25th!”

“We are overwhelmed by the response of the community in their support of the Wine & Food Jubilee, and therefore NorthBay Hospice & Bereavement,” added Brett Johnson, NorthBay Healthcare Foundation president. “We obviously are very thankful for such support, as it further proves our community is one that truly cares.”

On the night of the Jubilee, attendees gathered under the big tents at the Nut Tree in Vacaville, where first they noshed, socialized and then later danced to the music of popular dance band The Time Bandits.

Guests spent the first part of the evening sampling a wide array of wines, brews and tasty foods, poured and plated by representatives from more than 120 vendors. A silent auction, offering items as varied as movie and theater memorabilia, collections of wines, exotic gift baskets, jewelry and collectibles, raised nearly $33,000, according to Mimi Johnson, silent auction chair.

As vendors began to wind down the food and wine portion of the evening, guests were invited to gather around the stage to preview a special 14-minute video that chronicled Gino Goodman’s “Dream of a Lifetime.” Following that, eager participants waited to hear who would win the $1,000 Nut Tree Shopping Spree and the $20,000 cash raffle. The cash raffle’s grand prize of $10,000 went to Carol Klague, while Solomon Hererra won the Nut Tree shopping spree.

Next year’s event is April 27, 2012. Visit www.wineandfoodjubilee.org for details.