By Morgan Bryce
Associate Editor
Opelika Main Street’s beloved “On the Tracks” biannual event is returning to downtown Opelika for the 25th time Oct. 19 from 6-10 p.m.
This will mark a year since the last On the Tracks, following the cancelation of the event this spring by organizers.
According to Interim Opelika Main Street Executive Director Dana Gafford, the premise of this fall’s edition of On the Tracks is to “take it back to its roots.” Eighteen of the event’s 20 stops at various downtown shops will feature paired wines and cheeses provided by Ampersand Wine Bar, Cheese Please and Kroger’s cheese department.
Area food vendors sellings items ranging from $5-10 in cost will be present, as well as acoustic and ambient musicians scattered throughout downtown. VIP guests can expect comfortable accommodations as well as close proximity to drinks, food and live music.
John Emerald Distillery, Red Clay Brewing Company and the soon-to-be-opened Resting Pulse Brewery will also be offering drink samples during the night, and wine enthusiasts will be able to visit Ampersand later to purchase samples that they may have liked from the wine trail.
Gafford reminds patrons that On the Tracks is an entertainment district event, which means that they will be able to carry their non-wine beverages with them throughout the trail.
“Being a part of this event is special, and I know it’s something that the community really enjoys. When I talk with people and tell them that I work with (Opelika) Main Street, people always tell me how much they enjoy this event, and in particular, the wine trail,” Gafford said. “It’s wonderful for the merchants because they get a chance to open up their doors and invite people in who may never have been to their store. This is just a really great community event.”
Advance tickets can be purchased through www.onthetracks.org or the event’s Facebook page. Following is a list of ticketing options for the event:
– $25 for advance tickets
– $30 for night-of tickets
– $40 for VIP tickets, which includes a food token, drink token for a full pour of wine and automatically entered into a gift basket giveaway with prizes from participating downtown merchants.
For more information or updates, like and follow On the Tracks and Opelika Main Street’s Facebook pages.
Editor’s Note:
An earlier published article on this event contained information that was not accurate. We sincerely regret any confusion that this may have caused for our readers and the Opelika Main Street organization.
