Good spirits are bound to transform the quiet streets of downtown Opelika into a lively venue of fun and fellowship during the eighth annual "On the Tracks" food and wine event tomorrow night.
Guests of the event will have the chance to sample fine wines and local cuisine while listening to live music and exploring the downtown shops along the wine-tasting trail.
Pam Powers-Smith, owner of Flipflopfoto in Opelika, said she and the owner of Eighth and Rail had the original vision for the event seven years ago.
"We wanted something that focused on adults," Powers-Smith said. "We wanted people to come enjoy themselves, and we wanted to place (them) inside the stores."
This will easily be accomplished since the 15 shops participating in the event will be featured stops along the wine trail.
Dennis Smythe, general manager of Red June Door Coffee & Floral Co. in Opelika, said he thinks the wine trail is fantastic because it draws customers inside the shops.
Smythe said pre-registered wine trail participants will receive a wine glass for the trail, and all participants will have wristbands to prevent underage drinking.
Tickets for the event may be purchased online at www.onthetracks.org.
Registration for the wine trail is $25 per person, and corporate or private groups can pay $300 to reserve a table under the tent, 10 wine trail tickets and two bottles of wine.
"The interesting part of the event is that you can drink while you shop," Powers-Smith said. "I like that people can shop at night."
Powers-Smith said another advantage of the event is it will last from 6 p.m. till midnight, allowing customers to shop at a more convenient time.
"Normally, the shops close at 5 p.m.," Powers-Smith said, "which makes it hard for people to get there."
Although the shops will hold the wine-tasting, Powers-Smith said guests do not have to participate in the wine trail to enjoy the event.
"You can just come and listen to music," Powers-Smith said.
This year's live musical performances will be provided by Opelika-native Destiny Brown and the group Ernest Goes to Jazz.
"We work with an agent to book local and up-and-coming bands all over the country," Powers-Smith said.
In addition, local restaurants will be serving food in outdoor tents.
Participating restaurants include Zazu, Cafe 123, Amsterdam Cafe, Ariccia, Jimmy's, In Italy and Gourmet Tiger.
"We want people to celebrate fine wine, fine food and appreciate the fine chefs we have in Auburn and Opelika," Powers-Smith said.
She said the atmosphere of the event is conducive to visiting, which she said is many attendees' favorite part.
"I would almost equate it to tailgating," Powers-Smith said. "It's a great night for people to catch up with each other. There is no other event like it in town."
Stacie Money, owner of Fringe Consignment Boutique, said the event draws many new people to Opelika.
"We get a lot of people from out of town," Money said. "Every year we sell more tickets. It raises awareness about all that downtown Opelika has to offer."
Money said more shops and restaurants on the wine trail are added each year as well which increases turnout.
"The more businesses we add, the more stops we have for people," Money said. "It makes it more interesting."
Owners Jackie and Rick Horne of The Brass Brassiere in Opelika have participated in "On the Tracks" since 2007.
"It brings a very large number of people to downtown Opelika," Rick said. "A lot of those people become friends and customers."
The Hornes like the event because it is easily accessible and a great opportunity to meet people.
"There is plenty of parking, and it is safe to walk around," Jackie said. "You can have an entire evening and not move your car."
The Hornes said they enjoy sharing their appreciation for fine wines with guests of the event.
"We are the only location downtown (where) you can buy wine by the glass or by the bottle on or off premise," Rick said. "We have over 500 labels in stock, and we specialize in limited-production artisan wines."
The Hornes, who are both former Auburn University faculty members, said their wine distributor dubbed theirs the best selection of artisan wines between Atlanta and New Orleans.
"We have wines from all over the world, including Lebanon," Rick said.
Jackie explained they hold wine-tastings in the shop on the first and third Fridays of each month at 5:30 p.m., or whenever they decide to hold an event downtown.
"The wine-tastings are $10, and they include eight artisan wines and complementary appetizers," Jackie said.
Jackie said she thinks the shop's new wine lounge, complete with comfortable seating and peaceful music, is the perfect place to have public and private wine-tastings.
"We recently did one for one of the local service clubs," Jackie said. "We also do luncheons and bridal showers for private parties. We can do just about anything."
The Hornes said they also encourage business and study groups to utilize the quiet atmosphere and free WiFi of their wine lounge.
"You don't find the public," Rick said. "The public finds you."
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
