Le Tour de Vin, an annual tradition celebrating food, wine and the generosity of Norman’s four Rotary Clubs, will return to the NCED Hotel and Conference Center May 21, 2022, organizers have announced.
The event, held annually since 2003, was postponed in 2020 and 2021. Executive director Joe Gil, a member of the founding Crosstimbers Rotary Club, said the event venue’s social distancing rules kept the 2021 event from taking place in May.
“We met a year ago and decided to cancel 2020. We then postponed the 2021 event and will be back on May 21, 2022,” he said. “Interest among the four Rotary clubs is greater this year as we return to some sense of normalcy.”
The four clubs, Norman, Sooner, Crosstimbers and the Legacy Club, review grant applications and choose a beneficiary in two-year installments. This year’s beneficiary, The Virtue Center, will continue to receive the $100,000 with $50,000 paid this summer and the balance coming after the 2022 event. The center will use the money as part of its capital campaign to relocate from its current location near the OU campus to one near I-35 and Lindsey Street.
“Through the generosity of our partners and the four clubs, we were able to continue our pledge to the Virtue Center,” Gil said. “The majority of our partners have continued to sponsor the event."
Previous recipients of Le Tour de Vin proceeds include the Red Cross, Mary Abbott House, Food and Shelter, Thunderbird Clubhouse, CCFI, the Studio at Sooner and Full Circle Adult Day Care Center.
Each club has a representative who works with Gil year-round on preparing for the event. Nonprofits pitch their projects to the club members. Every two years, Rotarians choose a project which is announced at the conclusion of that event.
Previous events have been held at Belmar Golf Club and the OU Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.
“It’s all about what we are doing for the community and our people and promoting the ideals of Rotary, “ said Gil.