More than $50,000,000 of antiques will be on display at the second annual Gulf Coast Antiques, Food, and Wine Festival December 5th - 7th, 2008, at the Arthur R. Outlaw Convention Center. Dealers and experts from around the world will be showcasing and selling everything from period furniture and art to vintage jewelry, exotic rugs, and antique maps.

"Our concept," explains festival organizer David Calametti, "is to present a world-class antiques show with a food and wine festival wrapped around it."

Dealers returning from last year include Civil War memorabilia expert and ANTIQUES ROADSHOW appraiser Chris Mitchell, Michael Millard-Lowe from Paris, and Douglas Perryman of Bond Street Antiques.

"Those who attended last year," continues Calametti, "were frankly blown away by the quality and variety of antiques at the show and we're pleased that most of the dealers are returning again this year."

Special events and presentations are scheduled throughout the weekend. Friday's offerings include specially prepared gourmet boxed lunches for the downtown business crowd and an evening Happy Hour Wine and Appetizer Tasting. On Saturday, the program schedule includes wine seminars, presentations from antiques and collectibles experts and a wine tasting event pairing select wines with seafood specialties from some of the Gulf Coast's finest restaurants.

The final day of the festival opens with a Sunday Brunch Tasting and concludes with a unique cigar and wine "pairing" event at the Festival Cigar Bar on the waterfront patio. Each evening, the festivities continue at a variety of local restaurants which will offer specially prepared wine-pairing menus created exclusively for the Gulf Coast Antiques, Food, and Wine Festival.

"The Festival has two significant goals." according to Calametti. "First, we will bring visitors and locals to downtown Mobile to experience our continuing renaissance – and to patronize our restaurants, hotels and retail businesses. Second, we want to use this event as a vehicle to recognize and assist the good work of community non-profit organizations. This year's event proceeds benefit Volunteers of America and the Historic Mobile Preservation Society."

The Gulf Coast Antiques, Food, and Wine Festival is sponsored in part by the Mobile Bay Conventions and Visitors Bureau, the City of Mobile, and Wachovia National Bank.

Don't miss this unique event! Enjoy a weekend celebrating three great passions: world-class antiques, great food, and fine wine at the Gulf Coast Antiques, Food, and Wine Festival. Tickets start at $10 and go on sale October 1, 2008.

For more information contact David Calametti at 251.694.0457, visit www.gcafw.com or email Calametti@gcafw.com.