MONROE — After a successful start to the fall season which has included a fall festival at the farmers market and an art walk, the next few weeks will see two popular and longtime events return.
Trunk or Treat, an event on the inner lanes of the downtown square held since 2006, will feature approximately 40 cars from 2-4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 29.
Sponsored by Alphorn Ford of Monroe, the event is free for attendees and participants. Trick or treating occurs literally out of the trunks of vehicles. Main Street does not set a theme, but Jordan Nordby, Main Street Monroe’s executive director, notes how the decorations have only gotten better, with some participants setting up photo ops, bringing inflatables, and using full face paint.
Robin Nafzger, owner of House to Home Designs, has been bringing a vehicle down and dressing up each year since the beginning.
“I live out in the country, and I love that this allows families in surrounding communities to come downtown and be in a safe and secure environment. The streets are closed. It’s just great fun,” Nafzger said.
Anyone wanting to participate only needs to pre-register with Main Street.
Nafzger has also participated in every wine walk.
“I’ve never seen anyone having a bad time,” she said with a smile. The second and final wine walk of the year will be a few days after Trunk or Treat on Thursday, Nov. 2. House to Home Designs is one of 20 participating stores. While the spring one is always good, there’s something about the fall one that makes it even better.
“People are starting to think about Christmas and that’s where our focus shifts to also in the store,” Nordby said.
While Trunk or Treat is all about kids having fun, the wine walk is all about the adults having fun.
The popular event, which is both a fundraiser for the 501(c)3 nonprofit and a retail event showcasing a variety of downtown businesses, has three different ticket options. One is a Designated Driver ticket ($20), General Admission ($30), and VIP ($40). For general admission, the event is from 5-8:30 p.m., while VIP starts at 4 p.m. and includes a gift bag with commemorative wine glass, as well as a voucher for a specialty cocktail at Minhas Kitchen, which is sponsoring the event.
And while it’s called a wine walk, each location will have two samples for sampling which may be a red and white wine or a beer or a cider. Hawk’s Mill Winery, located in Browntown, which has unveiled wines at the event in the past, will continue to have a presence. All participating stores will also provide food which is paired with the beverages being served. For example, Heartland Graphics will feature food from its next-door neighbor Bullquarian Brewhouse. Max’s Threads will have items from Cactus Co Booze & Bites which is just finalizing its menu. International wines will also be a focus.
“It’s a great ‘date night’ event and we get a lot of groups too. I think it’s been so popular because you get your pick of 40 samples and it is things you may not ordinarily be tasting in shops you wouldn’t automatically be in,” said Nordby.
Beyond that, Nordby makes mention that Main Street’s calendar of events through the end of the year will be action packed. The indoor farmers market starts in November, Shop Small Saturday is Nov. 25, the Lighted Christmas Parade is Friday, Dec. 1, and the annual retail promotion (House to Home Designs is again a participating store) starts Nov. 1. Last year 40 businesses participated including retail, service, and eateries.
Tickets for the wine walk may be purchased online at mainstreetmonroe.org or in person at Edelweiss Gifts & More, Heartland Graphics, and Toy Haus. For tickets or other questions, call 608-328-4023.
