Wine on Ice, the annual festival of wines at First Arena in Elmira, opens Friday for the first of three sessions.

The big party includes wine tastings from dozens of Finger Lakes wineries, plus some from the Hudson Valley and the Thousand Islands. Gift and food vendors and samplings from restaurants also will be available during the event, which continues Saturday.

Among the wineries scheduled to participate are:

7 Vines, Ashley Lynn, Catharine Valley, Crooked Lake, Fulkerson, Inspire Moore, Knapp, Montezuma, Pazdar, Thousand Islands, Tickle Hill and White Springs wineries;

Americana Vineyards and Winery, Hickory Hollow and Highland Cellars, Lime Berry Wine Estate and Pleasant Valley Wine Co.;

Bagley's Poplar Ridge, Casa Larga, Eagle Crest, Hazlitt 1852, Lakewood , Rasta Ranch, Rock Stream and Vetter Vineyards;

and Glenora and Miles wine cellars and Red Newt and Yates cellars.

Vendors range from civic and community groups to gourmet food and gift purveyors.

Singer-songwriter Virgil Cain will provide entertainment at all three sessions.

Friday's session runs from 6 to 9 p.m.

There will be two sessions on Saturday, one to be held from 1 to 4 p.m. and another from 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets cost $25 for Friday night, $23 for Saturday afternoon and $27 for Saturday night. Additional fees may apply. Purchase tickets from the First Arena, (607) 734-7825, or at the Holiday Inn Riverview in Elmira or the Holiday Inn Express in Horseheads.

No one younger than 21 will be admitted.

Admission includes a souvenir wine glass, tastings from the wineries and unlimited hors d'oeuvres. Festival staff will assist in getting wine purchases to your vehicle.

First Arena is at 155 N. Main St. in Elmira.