Third annual sip n shop coming to Washington Thursday

WASHINGTON - Those who have difficulty making decisions will love the options available at the third annual sip n shop to be held in Washington on Thursday, Sept. 26.

The event is sponsored by Main Street Washington and will host 10 wineries and cideries from around the state. Sarah Grunewaldt, executive director of Main Street Washington, said there were about 500 participants last year.

To participate, Grunewaldt said consumers need a valid ID to purchase a wristband. That will give them access to wine samples. The downtown retail locations will be open and hosting the wineries and cideries.

Shoppers are encouraged to stop in to try out wine,

'The goal is for them to go in and explore stores they may have never been in before and try some great wine as well,” she said.

She said many of the producers will have the wine for sale on the spot. If they do not, Hy-Vee Wine and Spirits in Washington carries many of the varieties and can order those they do not have as well.

'If you really like something, Hy-Vee can get it for you even if its weeks and months after the fact,” she said.

The Washington Farmer's Market also will be taking place and feature local produce as well as local food trucks. Grunewaldt said there is no better way to check out all that Washington has to offer than with wine in hand.

'It's been a lot of fun and we've been really blessed the last couple of years with really great weather. It's really fun to partner with the farmers market to get local wine and local food,” she said. 'It just is all around nice to see a bunch of really happy people visiting with themselves and enjoying our retail.”

Tickets for the sip n shop are $10 and can be purchased on the Main Street Washington website or in Central Park the day of the event. Check-in will begin at 4:30 p.m. with the sip n shop continuing from 5-8 p.m.