Wine, food, shopping and music will be the highlight of On the Tracks, a biannual event on 8th Street and Railroad Avenue in Opelika.
The fall 2011 event will take place Oct. 7 from 6-11 p.m. and will feature wine tasting, food samples and entertainment. Downtown shops and restaurants will also be open.
Pam Powers-Smith, manager of On the Tracks, says this will be the 12th installment of the event. It used to take place once a year, but has become so popular and well-attended it now occurs once in the fall and once in the spring.
Powers-Smith said the wine trail is something to come and try.
"It is best to get your tickets online at www.onthetracks.org ahead of time," she said. "Tickets sell out fast the night of the event and are $25 each."
The wine trail consists of a group of tables where guests can sample each wine with a variety of cheeses. Powers-Smith said some of the stores will also have wine sampling as well as the outdoor vendors.
Some of the food will be from restaurants downtown and the surrounding area, including Maestro 2300 and Cafe 123.
"This is a chance for them to show off their talents with food, especially if they have a new fall menu," Powers-Smith said.
Three musicians will be featured this year, including Destiny Brown, senior in journalism.
"I think the people of Opelika really like On the Tracks because it gives them a chance to hear local talent and also to sample local vendors," Brown said. "I think it's a really great event that they have in Opelika."
Brown said she will be playing in the street as people walk into the local shops and try the wines and foods.
The event organizers and participants aren't the only ones excited.
"Even though I can't enjoy the wine tasting, I will definitely check out the shops and food," said Hannah Shaw, freshman in radio, television and film.
Lucy Bracht, freshman in pre-dental studies, also said she was excited to attend the event.
"I am most excited about the shopping and music," Bracht said. "I can't wait to hear the bands."
Powers-Smith said little has changed this year.
"We invite everyone to come out and enjoy," Powers-Smith said. "It is a one-of-a-kind event. There's nowhere else in the South where they do something specific like this, and it is a lot of fun."
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