By Robin GOLDSWORTHY

The Montrose Shopping Park is expecting temperatures in the mid-70s on Saturday – perfect autumn weather. For those concerned about being a little chilly, though, they can bring a sweater while making their way along Honolulu Avenue. Or they can get warm from the inside by taking part in the Holiday Wine Walk on Saturday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

This is the shopping park’s second annual Holiday Wine Walk and expectations are high that the response, as at previous walks, will be strong.

“Our primary concern is the weather, but other than last spring we’ve been fortunate. The Spring 2018 Wine Walk experienced a real downpour, which reduced ticket sales significantly. But those who came had a ball!” said Dale Dawson, events coordinator for the Montrose Shopping Park Assn., which hosts the sip and stroll events.

The Wine Walks are a relaxed way of introducing new clients to Montrose businesses.

“This is the one event we do that does not close the streets. It requires participants to go inside MSP businesses to enjoy the activities,” said Dawson.

The activities include pours of an assortment of wines at various businesses along the avenue with many of the shops offering food pairings as well.

The shopping park is ready to host 500 ticketholders and will have help from the La Crescenta Woman’s Club. Their members will be greeting guests at the ticket booth at the corner of Honolulu Avenue and Ocean View Boulevard and handing out a variety of items to ticket holders.

“The La Crescenta Woman’s Club is again our co-sponsor and partner for what is now our fourth Wine Walk,” said Dawson. “These wonderful ladies prep the glasses, pack the tote bags, handle the check-ins and assist with on-site ticket sales. A donation of 15% of total ticket sales will be presented to the LCWC at the December MSPA board meeting.”

In their tote bags, wine walkers will find tickets for 15 pour stations along Honolulu Avenue and $10 in Montrose scrip, which can be used to pay for goods and services any time throughout the shopping park. At check-in at Ocean View and Honolulu, and after paying for their $45 ticket, people will receive a wristband and a Montrose logo wine glass that can be used at the tasting locations.

Dawson will be out selling tickets beginning at 4 p.m. but presale tickets are available by visiting Mountain Rose Gifts, Copy Network, It Takes a Village, Casa Cordoba and Grayson’s Tune Town or online at www.shopmontrose.com.

  robin goldsworthy