Let's Wine About Winter around the corner

Although Mother Nature hasn't given us much to whine about this season, Let's Wine About Winter is still on tap for next month. Sponsored by the Niwot Cultural Arts Association (NCAA), with funding by the Niwot Local Improvement District, the event is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 8 from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Now in its eighth year, event participants, who become members of a club by purchasing tickets, have the opportunity to stroll through historic Niwot when Cottonwood Square and Second Avenue merchants will open their doors and serve over 30 different varieties of wines, beers and culinary tastings along the way. Live music is also featured at a number of different stops.

Although the list of participating businesses is still growing, Little Bird, Niwot Natural Medicine, Niwot Wheelworks, The Niwot Inn, Wise Buys Antiques, Warren, Carlson & Moore Attorneys, the Left Hand Valley Courier and the Niwot United Methodist Church have all confirmed their participation.

Last year, more than 500 people participated in the event, raising over $13,000 for Niwot Children's Park. Again this year, volunteers will help assemble participant bags and assist with check-in, with the majority of volunteers recruited through the Niwot Community Connection (NCC) group.

One change for this year's event is the addition of a second check-in location. In addition to the traditional pick-up location at The Niwot Group at Compass, 7915 Niwot Road, event cups and swag for people who purchased online can also be found at Deborah Read Fowler Real Estate, 136 Second Avenue.

Co-chair Anne Postle, who co-founded the event with Michelle Henzel, said that the addition of a second check-in location will help streamline the process and help ensure participants are more spread out along the route.

Postle said that the event is a great way for businesses to showcase what they have to offer to people who may be unfamiliar with them. "Every year I see new people at the event," Postle said. "People I've not seen in town before. It's great exposure for everyone who participates."

To purchase a ticket and become a member of the Let's Wine About Winter Club, go to http://www.eventbrite.com and search for Let's Wine About Winter. Tickets are $35 online, and a limited number of tickets will be available the day of the event for $40. Each ticket includes a reusable bag, a Let's Wine About Winter mug for beverage sampling and a $10 coupon redeemable at all participating stores and businesses beginning the day of the event, and valid through March 8.