Plans are underway and the blessing of the Washington City Council has been given for a new event around the square, a Sip and Stroll.

On September 28th from 6-8 p.m. the Sip and Stroll will be held downtown. Main Street Washington Director Sarah Grunewaldt explained local Iowa wineries will be featured in shops around the square and participants may enter the stores to sample the wine and do some shopping at local businesses. Grunewaldt and the event committee have discussed the event with the Washington Police Department in regards to safety, “No wine will leave the store. It will just be dumped out and the glasses will be rinsed, before they are moved along to the next location. So there will be no strolling wine on the city streets.” Participants will have wristbands and punch cards to verify they’re not being over-served.

She adds the event will overlap with the end of the farmers market that night, “It’d be from 6-8 p.m. so it’d be farmers market would just be wrapping up. So, we’re hoping that we can help draw a crowd in from the farmers market into the businesses to do a little bit of shopping and some sipping.” Stemless, plastic wine glasses will be used. Wineries will be able to sell bottles, but they will not be opened during the event.