Riverbank’s Cheese & Wine Festival set for Oct. 11; city projects near‑break‑even budget, may add drone show

Michael Patton, Riverbank parks and recreation director, outlined plans and a preliminary budget for the 2025 Cheese & Wine Festival to the City Council.

The festival is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, 10 a.m.–6 p.m., on Santa Fe between Second and Seventh Street. Patton said 96 vendors were signed as of the presentation and the city plans four wine‑tasting sessions this year (adding a fourth evening session). The department intends to consolidate entertainment onto a single main stage, relocate the car show into downtown to better connect with local businesses, and pilot a paid, supervised childcare drop‑off in the teen center to provide a revenue stream and family support.

Budget and revenue

Patton presented a preliminary revenue forecast of roughly $50,000–$51,000 (including vendor fees, wine tasting and projected beer/wine splits) and total expenditures of about $69,474, producing a projected deficit of roughly $9,599 if the drone show proceeds. The city applied for a grant to fund half the cost of a drone show; the lowest vendor quote Patton cited was $18,000, with the city grant candidate covering $9,000 and sponsorships or event revenues expected to cover any remaining cost.

Patton emphasized community focus

Patton said the council asked staff to prioritize local entrepreneurs and community participation: “The idea was to focus on the community,” he told the council, citing changes made after 2023 such as moving to a one‑day format and lowering vendor fees to encourage local participation.

Event details and operations

- Wine tastings will be held at the community center, with an added fourth session into the evening. - The car show will return under the same third‑party organizer, with the city now projecting shared revenue rather than the vendor keeping all proceeds as in a prior year. - Children’s programming will rely on rotating community partners rather than staffing a city‑run kids’ corner all day; the new child drop‑off program in the teen center would be staffed and charge a fee to generate revenue. - Security, fencing, portable restrooms and stage costs were included in the expenditure estimate; staff are seeking the best vendor pricing and have solicited formal proposals for key services.

Council feedback and next steps

Council members asked about sponsorship outreach for the drone show and urged Spanish‑language outreach for the event’s advertising; Patton said staff will pursue sponsors and expand Spanish outreach through social media and radio. He noted several cost‑reduction strategies under consideration—consolidating to one stage, using partners for the kids’ activities, and seeking donated or sponsored security services—which could move the budget closer to break even if implemented.

Patton asked the council for continued support as staff refine vendor lists, sponsorships, grant outcomes and operational contracts; he said staff will return with final budget recommendations as plans firm up.