Aug 28, 2014 By Erin Hayes for The 4 min read

A combination of food, music and displays will be part of the 9th annual Frontier Dinner, a fundraising event organized by the he National Road Heritage Corridor (NRHC), slated for Sept. 5, at the Christian Klay Winery, located just off the Historic National Road in Chalk Hill.

The event will include a five-course gourmet meal, free-flowing wine and beer, a pre-dinner hay ride, live music and a bonfire, and a display of period muskets, pistols, tomahawks, swords and knives.

“Chef Joe Carei returns this year with a delectable menu planned — an amazing offering that will please every palate from the vegetarian to the meat lover as well as the more adventurous foodie who enjoys wild game. As always, Joe has built his menu around products and raw ingredients that can be purchased locally,” said NRHC Board Chair Sandy Mansmann, adding that the setting where the event will be held will leave event-goers “speechless”.

“The meal this year has an even stronger farm-to-table focus,” Carei said. “It will be a celebration of the economic backbone of Pennsylvania — agriculture. From the fruit and vegetables, to the cheese and breads, entrees to dessert, everything served that evening will be PA-grown or -raised.”

Attendance over the years has grown, said Donna Holdorf, NRHC executive director, with about 150 guests attending last year’s event.

“This is the organization’s major fundraiser. As a non-profit in this very challenging economy, every dollar we raise is important to help us fulfill our mission of community and economic development. It’s an enjoyable night and a great way to support the NRHC’s work in education and community development. We have many ‘friends of the road’ who come out every year.”

Holdorf said the Frontier Dinner began several years ago as a fundraising event for the nonprofit organization to raise funds that support its efforts in conservation, recreational development such as trail building, and development of educational materials and learning tools as well as developing infrastructure that support the tourism industry. The theme of the dinner is based on the history of the National Road, which was built through Pennsylvania between 1813 and 1818 as the nation’s first federally funded highway that created a road west to the new frontier. Over the first few years, the menu mostly centered around wild game, but over time was diversified so that non game eaters could enjoy the dinner, as well.

Funds are raised through ticket sales, sponsorships, and silent and Chinese auctions featuring this year a hand-carved trout, a sword honed by NRHC board member Clay Kilgore, a third generation blacksmith. Fay Penn’s Buy Local Initiative, Uniontown Mall and Somerset Trust Bank are sponsoring this year’s event. The goal this year is to raise $10,000, Holdolf said.

New to the event this year is the 1st Virginia Regiment, who will display period muskets, pistols, tomahawks, swords and knives. Willy Frankfort, one of five master horners in the world, will have a large display of his horn and scrimshaw work. The Bloody Dirk 18th Century Tavern will be open and serving samples of period drinks.

“We have several events at the winery throughout the year, but we really enjoy this one because of its focus on the Historic National Road,” said Sharon Klay, a NRHC board member and owner of the Christian Klay Winery. “At the winery, we’ve made an effort to acknowledge the important history of this area by choosing names for our wines that reflect historic events such as Fort Necessity, Jumonville Glen Red, Summit Mist, Stone House Red, Chestnut Ridge Sunset and Washington Tavern Red.”

“The Frontier Dinner is an annual event which raises funds that are reinvested in the region as the NRHC works to accomplish its mission,” said Ben Moyer, past NRHC board chair. “It’s truly a great way to celebrate the end of summer.”

The evening begins at 6 p.m. with appetizers served at 6:45 p.m.

The cost of attendance is $70 per person and includes the meal as well as wine and beer throughout the night. Seating is reserved and tickets must be purchased in advance by Sept. 1, Holdorf said.

For more information and to purchase tickets, call 724-437-9877 or email debbies@nationalroadpa.org.