Taste of Valley Sails Through Third Year

Like smooth jazz, Taste of the Valley Murrieta Jazz Fest sailed through another year Sunday.

The annual event was founded three years ago to raise money for instrumental programs at . In 2011, it grew to include , and this year it got participation from and the district's four middle schools.

"It is neat to see all the programs come together for one purpose," said Band Director Trent Newton.

For $20, guests received 10 tastings from local restaurateurs. For the first time, guests could also sample wine and beer.

Arguably the most popular item for sale under the 90-degree sun was ice-cold water bottles peddled by students. Cold cups of ice cream from in Murrieta likely came in a close second.

Either way, full bellies and the sounds of jazz being played on the amphitheater from Murrieta's made for an ideal way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

That level of contentment is exactly what Vista Murrieta Golden Alliance Band and Color Guard Boosters President Craig Lobnow hoped for.

In his third year of helping organize the event, Lobnow plans to stick around for a few more even though his son will be a senior at Vista Murrieta in the fall.

He has seen the event grow from a small family gathering at Monteleone Meadows to 16 restaurants and 14 vendors last year, and 20 restaurants this year with 22 vendors.

"Every single thing is for the kids," Lobnow said. "It is to promote to the community that there is a killer instrumental program in our district. We are one of the few districts who still has it all."

Still, in light of budget cuts, programs such as band have had to get creative with their fund-raising efforts.

There are roughly 1,600 students in instrumental programs in Murrieta schools, he said.

According to Lobnow, transportation alone for Vista Murrieta's program was $45,000 this year.

"We take five buses everywhere we go," he said.

Lobnow is familiar with the challenges, as he is in his seventh year of being a band parent.

"I'm going to hang around; my dream for this event in years to come is for it to be a real destination."