Winter wine event in Libertyville

Spend this wintry Saturday strolling around downtown Libertyville for MainStreet Libertyville's 4th Annual "Let's Wine About Winter" event. Inside the village's many shops and restaurants you will discover a variety of local talented artists while sipping wine or tasting delicious refreshments. A $10 etched commemorative wine glass will be your "ticket" to this fun event, which can be purchased at any one of the participating stores on that day. No advance reservations are required.

MainStreet's Executive Director Pam Hume tells us what you need to know about "Let's Wine About Winter."

Q. What happens at this event? A. This is a wine-tasting event sponsored by MainStreet Libertyville held in participating downtown stores and restaurants. People are able to walk from store to store tasting a variety of wines and refreshments. A printed map is provided. Also indicated on the map will be the local artist who will be featured at the stores.Q. How long has this event been in existence? How has it changed, and what is new this year?A. This is the fourth year for this event. Each year more people hear about it and the crowds get bigger and bigger! In fact, this year we have two buses coming with women's groups and had calls from many of the suburbs from Wisconsin to Chicago. People hire a sitter and it becomes a fun destination for couples, neighbors and friends. This year we will also have our monthlong Snowmen on Parade in downtown Libertyville event going on at the same time. Twelve snowmen that were created by local civic groups and schools will be displayed in front of various stores in the downtown. Anyone can vote for their favorite "Frosty." The winning design group will receive $500. Ballot boxes are available in the stores.Q. What's the highlight of the event? A. I think the highlight of this event is how the downtown is buzzing with activity. People are in a festive mood chatting with store owners, artists and friends and enjoying themselves. This is an adult (21 years and older) event. People can shake off "cabin fever" and spend a wintry afternoon strolling in the downtown where 22 participating retail shops and restaurants will be serving wine and other delicious refreshments. As you are "shopping and sipping" talented local artists will be found in many of the stores displaying their handmade jewelry, paintings and other unique art forms. There will even be an animal rescue group at one of the stores with potential adoptees.Q. What kinds of food and beverages will be for sale?A. The only cost is $10 for which you receive an etched commemorative wine glass to be used as your "ticket" throughout the stores for this event. It can be purchased at any one of the participating shops or restaurants.Q. Tell us about the volunteers and organizers who pull this together.A. The impetus really comes from the participating downtown business owners, who are genuinely excited about this event. Cathy Kraemer from Cathy's Garden Gate is an enthusiastic participant. "I LOVE the event because everyone that comes to it on a dreary winter day is here to have a good time," she said.Q. Is there anything else we should know?A. We are hoping that people will come downtown and make a day of it by either having lunch before or dinner after the event at one of our many restaurants. Parking is easy at the covered parking garage (4 hours free) located in the downtown. For your convenience, take the metra train, which has a station in the heart of the downtown.If you goWhat: MainStreet Libertyville's 4th Annual Let's Wine About WinterWhen: 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20Where: Various downtown shops. Maps available at participating businesses.Cost: $10 for the etched wine glass, which can be bought at any participating store or restaurant. The proceeds from the sales of the wine glasses go to MainStreet Libertyville, a downtown economic revitalization organization whose mission is to enhance the community identity and heritage, to foster a center of activity and to ensure economic stability in the downtown.More info: For more information call the MainStreet Libertyville office (847) 680-0336 or visit our Web site at mainstreetlibertyville.org.