BERKELEY SPRINGS, W,Va. — This year marks the 35th annual Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting.
The event welcomes waters from more than a dozen countries, and states from California to Florida to theThe Country Inn in the historic spa town of Berkeley Springs, West Virginia,
The Tasting event is set for Saturday, on Saturday, February 22.
Here’s producer Jill Klein Rone says it is the largest and longest running water tasting in the world,
As to how it got started:
Klein Rone says winning the Water Tasting brings prestige:
She talked about how the community can take part:
Tasting of municipal waters, followed by purified drinking waters begins at 2:30pm.on Saturday. Non-carbonated bottled and sparkling waters are tasted at 6:30pm. Winners in all categories are announced at 8:30pm. Handcrafted glass water drops, created by West Virginia’s Appalachian Glass, are presented as awards.
According to a press release from Klein Rone previewing the event, more than 750 distinct waters have entered over the life of the event, coming from all over the United States and from as far away as Greece, New Zealand, Tajikistan and Japan. Entries from 59 countries, DC and all but three states have been represented since the beginning in 1991.
“The impact of winning this event is extraordinary for a bottler,” said Jill Klein Rone,.. “Many have experienced exponential growth, others closed major deals, and almost all winners redesign their labels to display their winning medal.”
A distinguished panel of media judges determine the official winners, but there is a role for the public. All day Saturday, they taste water along with the judges. Most importantly, the public votes for the People’s Choice Award for best packaging. “How the product looks and grabs attention has become ever more important as the bottled water industry continues to grow,” said Klein Rone. “There are well over 600 brands of bottled water on the market.”
The public can vote online for the People’s Choice package design. Voting begins February 8 and goes until February 22 at 8pm. Anyone, anywhere can vote by going to www.berkeleysprings.com. Voting also takes place all day Saturday, along with public tastings, and exhibit booths.
While not able to be present during the actual event, Project WET, Water Education Today, will be joined by the Cacapon Institute as they visit Pleasant View and Paw Paw Elementary Schools on February 27.
Special events and activities are everywhere in Berkeley Springs and Morgan County Friday, February 21 through Sunday, February 23. For more information, call 304-258-9147 or check the website
