Findlay’s favorite wine fest (and all of Ohio’s for that matter!) is back with a new name and even more sips, Saturday, June 29 from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m. at Riverside Park. Marathon Center for the Performing Arts present this 11th annual toast to the arts to enjoy amazing wines and raise funds for arts programming through MCPA.
Never been? Need a refresher? Want to find out what’s new this year? Fear not, we have you covered with this step-by-step guide.
Step 1: Save $5 on admission with pre-sale tickets!
We heard the people, and this year we brought back pre-sale tickets! Save $5 when you pre-purchase your admission passes through the MCPA box office (in person, by phone or online) any time prior to Saturday, June 29. Pre-sale admission passes are just $15 (and include 5 drink tickets and a tasting glass), admission passes at the door are $20 (still include 5 drink tickets and a tasting glass) and non-drinking passes are just $10 anytime you buy.
So, it’s Saturday and Summer Sips is here! There is free parking available in all the parking lots throughout Riverside Park. Depending on when you arrive, you may have to walk, but you won’t have to pay!
New this year, we are letting the dogs IN—on his or her leash with some extra baggies for business on hand, please. Children are also welcome to attend this event with a $10 admission pass for non-drinking attendees. Adults who wish to attend, but not drink, can also purchase a non-drinking pass. Those who do purchase a drinking pass will be asked for ID and given a wrist band at the admissions booth to designate them as such.
Step 2: Come with your taste buds ready!
All the wineries and breweries represented at Summer Sips are from right here in Ohio! #DrinkLocal Ranging from world-class wines like pinot grigio, chardonnay, cabernet franc or Riesling to fun-to-drink fruit wines made from fresh strawberries, blackberries, peaches and raspberries. Meade, ciders and (new this year!) beers are also available to sample!
Some important logistics when it comes to tasting at Summer Sips. Tasting tickets are 1 for $1. When tasting wine, each ticket will get you 1oz. You will be able to choose how many ounces you want, up to 5oz. However, when beer tasting you will submit 2 tickets ($2) for one full tasting glass of 5oz.
Beer served in the beer garden must be kept separate from the wine served in the other areas of the park. Your admission pass and drink tickets work for all of it, but keep in mind you will not be able to take your wine into the beer garden or your beer into the wine area due to the special licensing we have from the state.
Step 3: Find something you love? Take it home!
So, you’ve tried a dozen new wines and found your perfect match. Is this goodbye forever? No way! You can stock up on your new favorite for the weeks (or days—we get it) to come! Now, you won’t be able to open any bottles at the event, but you also won’t have to worry about lugging your new favorite wine around for the rest of the afternoon. A service will be provided to collect your purchased bottles and keep them in the “wine warehouse” until you are ready to leave the event.
Step 4: Bring cash
Admissions accepts cash or card for passes and drink tickets, but we also have a wide variety of vendors at Summer Sips. From the wineries and breweries to food trucks and local artists, you will probably do some shopping. And while many of the vendors are equipped to accept credit cards, you don’t want to miss out on fabulous finds with those who might not!
Step 5: Paint & Partake
Two words, paint and partake! Awakening Minds Art will be hosting a paint and partake party at the top of every hour from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. for just $10 a participant. Enjoy the shade of a shelter house whilst painting (and drinking wine) right in the park! Not to mention AMA is another incredible Findlay arts organization you can support with your participation in this fun event option.
Step 6: Dodge the rain!
We get this question a lot, and yes! this event is held rain or shine. There are plenty of permanent structures that the wineries serve from you can stand under, lots of trees and a large tent for the beer garden to dodge the rain or maybe just find shade from the sunshine for a while.
Check out even more information on the wineries, breweries, vendors and LIVE music we’ll be featuring at Summer Sips on the Facebook event! Can’t wait to see you there!
