Historic Downtown Opelika is bringing music, vendors, food and wine tasting to the streets for a night of elegant fun for the 14th-biannual On the Tracks event on Friday, Oct. 19.
Pam Powers-Smith, director of Opelika Main Street Inc., said the group has found a good formula when it comes to the event from planning the last 13 On the Tracks events, and because of that, the public continues to attend.
"I think it is just really different," Powers Smith said. "I just don't think there's anything else in the area that's similar. I think people enjoy being outside in the fall and running into people they know."
Located in historic downtown Opelika at the intersection of Railroad Avenue and Eighth Street, the event features live music, food and wine tasting and local vendors, said Powers Smith.
"We have live bands set up outside," she said. "We have a bar set up outside, and then you can also do the trail, which includes food tastings and wine tastings."
Some of the outdoor vendors participating in the event include Ariccia, Jane Sweet Jane, Maestro 2300, Wilton's Catering and Kiss My Sass.
Dine-in restaurants in the area that are participating include Jefferson's, Irish Bred Pub, Ma Fia's, Jimmy's and Cafe 123.
Powers-Smith said the event provides a great atmosphere for socializing and eating and drinking good food.
"It's just a really great night to visit with their friends," Powers-Smith said. "Typically, people make new friends that night because it's such a great atmosphere and the people are just kind of hanging out and enjoying themselves."
There will be vendors to buy food and drinks from, along with the restaurants in downtown Opelika that are open for the event.
"It's an outdoor event, but if you want to sit down inside and enjoy a meal you can go into the restaurants," Powers-Smith said.
"We have a little something for everybody because some people don't want to walk around all night. Some people love being outside and talking to people, so they'll do the trail all night long. There's options for everyone."
Powers-Smith said the streets are blocked off in a horseshoe-shape during the event.
She said the trail includes the outdoor vendors, as well as the restaurants.
Cafe 123, Jimmy's and Ma Fia's are some of the restaurants in downtown Opelika that are open for people who want to sit and dine in during the event.
To purchase tickets before the event, visit OntheTracks.org or call 334-737-1474.
There are two types of tickets available. For $5 admission, people can have entry to the downtown blocked area. The $25 tickets encompass all the tastings inside the stores.
"You can get tickets the night of the event, but we always sell out," Powers-Smith said. "So I always recommend you get here early. "
Musicians Destiny Brown and Funk N' Wagnols will be performing live during the event.
Powers-Smith said Brown and Funk N' Wagnols will be playing different areas during the event and both are great musicians that are a good fit for the event.
"It's a really nice, relaxed, casual good time," she said. "People really just seem to enjoy the event. The atmosphere is nothing like any other event in Auburn or Opelika."
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