Organizers preview July 10 Art and Wine Walk downtown Thief River Falls

Organizers of the Art and Wine Walk told the Thief River Falls City Council the event is scheduled for Thursday, July 10, from 4 to 8 p.m. downtown and this year will be the eighth iteration of the event.

Carol Liley, Holly Dustrikson and Deb Tweedbuck introduced themselves as committee members and described event logistics: registration opens at 4 p.m. and runs until 6 p.m.; pre-registration is $20 (Eventbrite or at the Safe River Falls Education Foundation, 230 Labrie Avenue South) and $25 at the door; route runs from the Carnegie parking lot to the Rusty Nail; 28 downtown businesses will participate and the committee expects roughly 350 attendees though past attendance has ranged higher.

Organizers said they will provide half-ounce wine samples and small food appetizers at participating businesses, and that every attendee must come to the Carnegie to verify they are 21 and receive a wristband. Volunteers prepare about 350 individual food samples for each business the day before; the event typically relies on more than 100 volunteers and two volunteers per business during the event.

This year the group added a 'Flower Power' theme with prizes for best-dressed individual and group and a business decoration prize. The committee listed 36 artists set to display work, noted new businesses joining downtown, and asked for continued city support for street closures, benches and additional garbage cans; representatives said city staff and the police department have been supportive.

Council members thanked the organizers and encouraged residents to attend. Organizers emphasized the event's goals of promoting area artists and downtown businesses, and said registration details are posted online.