Sippin' by the River at Penn's Landing Features Fine Wines and Beers, Gourmet Food, Tutored Tastings, and Live Entertainment

The fifteenth annual Sippin' by the River outdoor wine and beer tasting festival will take place on Sunday, October 4, 2009, from 1 to 5 p.m., rain or shine, on Festival Pier at Penn's Landing, Columbus Boulevard at Spring Garden Street, in Philadelphia.

As Philadelphia's premier waterfront destination, Penn's Landing will host the event consisting of world-famous wines and beers and gourmet cuisine from area restaurants while benefiting CCFA. As they enter the event, attendees will receive tasting notes, to help guide them through the samples from various breweries and vineyards. Visitors can also enjoy food sampling, cooking demonstrations from local restaurants and live entertainment from the band DAME.

Whether listening to the Sounds of Sinatra in the wine area, sampling authentic beer and food in special pavilions or tasting a variety of wines while talking to wine experts Richard Unti and Robert Peters at the Wine Ambassador booth, attendees can treat themselves to a day of relaxation and elegance.

Tickets to the fifteenth annual Sippin' by the River will be on sale in June 2009. Advance tickets will be available at www.sippinbytheriver.com or by calling (215) 893-1999. Tickets may also be purchased at the Ticket Philadelphia Box Office, located at the Kimmel Center located on Broad and Spruce Streets in Philadelphia.

With close to 4,000 people attending last year's event, proceeds from Sippin' by the River benefit research, education, and support programs for people suffering from Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis -- chronic digestive disorders of the small and large intestines collectively known as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Currently, IBD affects an estimated 1.4 million Americans.

CCFA, a voluntary, non-profit national organization, seeks to cure Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, and to improve the quality of life of children and adults affected by these diseases. To contact the local CCFA office, call 215-396-9100, write: CCFA, 367 E. Street Road, Trevose, PA 19053 or e-mail philadelphia@ccfa.org .