Warm season wine walks drawing crowds downtown

Although the weather was rather chilly, Main Street Gardnerville's Thirsty Third Thursday Wine Walk on May 20 saw double attendance compared to last year's inaugural event.

Main Street Manager Paula Lochridge said the May wine walk brought out approximately 300 registered participants, versus 150 in 2009.

"That doesn't take into account kids people brought or designated drivers," she said. "Not bad for the first one of the season."

The next wine walk starts 4:30 p.m. Thursday. Lochridge said the event is designed not only to generate crowds, but to really expose downtown businesses.

"Businesses are really struggling right now," she said. "But once people put their foot in the door, they realize what these businesses, these mom-and-pop shops, have to offer."

Lochridge said another benefit of wine walking is getting people to realize that they can find parking downtown.

"It's really not that hard to find a place to park," she said. "It's really a walkable area. There's a misconception out there that we're trying to clear up."

Lochridge said the number of participating businesses has also risen from last year.

"There are 35-40 businesses committed to participating," she said. "We've been hearing a lot of positive feedback."

One difference this year, though, is the addition of beer to the July and August months.

"They're usually the hottest months, and a lot of people wanted beer," Lochridge said. "People will still use the standard wine glass, but only a certain number of businesses will serve beer - we still want to maintain the wine walk."

Starting the third Thursday of the month at 4:30 p.m., the wine walks extend through September.

Cost is $5 for a 2010 green commemorative wine glass, which can be used at each event, and $10 to register. The registration booth will be located at the Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center starting at 4:30 p.m. Glasses can be purchased in advance at Joyce's Fine Jewelry, East Fork Gallery, Especially For You and Battle Born Wine.

Themes for each event are as follows: June 17, Western; July 15, Red, White and Blue (beer and wine); Aug. 19, Rockin' 50's (beer and wine); Sept. 16, Hawaiian.

To view a list of participating businesses or for more information, visit www.mainstreetgardnerville.org or contact Lochridge at 782-8027.

With the success of the basket of flowers program over the past couple of years, the Main Street Gardnerville design and flower committees are offering another opportunity to become a part of the beautification of downtown Gardnerville with the adopt-a-pot program.

The adoptive businesses will be required to water the flowers, but will be provided with the instructions on how to keep them blooming throughout the season. There are a limited number of pots available, and a minimum donation of $40 is requested.

Main Street Gardnerville volunteers, with the help of the Town of Gardnerville, are placing the large street pots with blooming flowers on the sidewalks outside the adoptive businesses, so that the community and visitors will be able to admire the flowers all summer long.

For more information or to volunteer, contact info@mainstreetgardnerville.org or 782-8027. Main Street Gardnerville started in 2008 with initial funding through a partnership with the Douglas County Board of Commissioners and the Gardnerville Town Board.