Wine Walk to raise funds for Lombard parade

The Lombard Lilac Parade Committee is gearing up for a new "Wine Walk and Shop" fundraiser, just weeks after a new adult egg hunt fundraiser generated about $1,900 for the parade.

"It's a great way to get people out and about in downtown," said Colleen Whittington, general manager at the Vino Cellar and co-chairwoman of fundraising for the committee.

Participants will have an opportunity to taste three samples of wine or beer at several businesses, mostly along St. Charles Avenue, during the event, which runs from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 30.

Whittington acknowledged the Lilac Queen coronation also will be taking place at 1 p.m. that day in Lilacia Park, but she is hopeful attendees will head over to the north side of the railroad tracks for some drinks afterward.

Tickets are $40 and can be purchased in advance at Famous Liquors, 105 E. Roosevelt Road, or Vino Cellar, 141 St. Charles Road. Purchases also can be made over the phone, by calling (630) 330-5409.

Ticket sales are being limited to the first 300 people.

All proceeds will go toward parade expenses, which amount to about $26,000 annually.

In recent years, the village has been urging groups that receive funding from the hotel/motel tax, including the parade committee, to come up with half of their own funding.

Last year, the committee was able to raise about $6,000 for the parade.

This year, members hope to bring in between $13,000 and $15,000.

Businesses taking part in the Wine Walk include CustomFit Personal Training, Feel Good Hair, Fairytales, Corner House, Sky Centers Martial Arts, Fifth Third Bank, RE/MAX, Paradiso and Sweet Street.

Participants are asked to start the wine walk at Vino Cellar, where they will get a map of the other locations and be assigned to a first location by committee members in an effort to avoid crowds.

"Not only do they get some really good tastings, they get some food. Each of the businesses has sales and specials," Whittington said. "It's really a chance to highlight some of our new businesses that have come in."

At the end of the event, attendees can stop at Famous Liquors to pick up a bottle of one of the wines they sampled during the event.

For information, visit lombardlilacparade.com.