For my Pennsylvania readers, I’ve got something fun for you to take part in.

 

On Aug. 14, 2010, the Pennsylvania Winery Association (PWA) hopes to break the world record for the largest wine tasting with The Great Pennsylvania Wine Toast. They’ll be getting a little help from Pennsylvania resident Mario Andretti. The auto racing legend is the owner of a winery himself (but in California, not Pennsylvania).

 

Andretti will lead a toast that was written by a Pennsylvania resident. Hundreds of residents sent in toasts, and voting will end today on one of the five finalists.

 

It’s going to take more than 17,540 people toasting and tasting simultaneously to beat the current world record set by more than 400 pubs across the United Kingdom on May 21, 2008. Anyone who wants to help break the record can go to a participating winery at 3:30 p.m. on Aug. 14. The toast will be held exactly at 4 p.m. at all locations. Those attending the 18th annual Food & Wine Festival at Seven Springs Mountain Resort will also be participating.

 

Charitable proceeds from the Great Pennsylvania Wine Toast will benefit The Fund to Benefit Children & Youth. The fund provides abused, neglected and at-risk children with the items and services they cannot receive from traditional sources.

 

Pennsylvania’s wine industry has experienced healthy growth in the past five years. The number of wineries in the state has increased from 80 to more than 130. The number of visitors to the state’s wineries has more than doubled in that time.