By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
One of the biggest fundraisers for the Downtown Hays Development Corporation is set for Saturday, Sept. 14.
Tickets are available online at www.downtownhays.com and at the DHDC office, 1200 Main.
Wines & Steins starts at 6 p.m. with check-in at the downtown pavilion, 10th and Main, and then a leisurely stroll through 12 business locations in historic downtown Hays. The stroll-stop hosts have lined up a large variety of tasty hors d'oeuvres from local restaurants to pair with the different wines and micro-beers sampled at each location.
Following the stroll, the fun moves under the pavilion with live music, complimentary drinks, a dessert bar, and an auction featuring experience items, tastings, a golf package and overnight stays in popular locations.
A basket of gift cards worth several hundred dollars donated by DHDC board members will also be up for grabs.
Commemorative glassware is designed each year for Wines & Steins.
"People love to collect these," said Julie Rider, DHDC executive director. "Every style is unique."
Auto World is again the presenting glassware sponsor.
Other Wine & Steins sponsors include Astra Bank, Insurance Planning, Nex-Tech, Nex-Tech Wireless, Midwest Energy, and Robert Brogden GMC. Contributors are Regeena's Flowers & Events, Wedding Connections, 8th Street Liquor, G&L Tire, Northwestern Printers, Coors, Wil Fischer Distributing, and Pepsi.
DHDC is not a membership organization, and downtown businesses do not pay dues or fees.
As a private nonprofit, DHDC receives about 60 percent of its annual budget through fundraisers and private donations to its partnership program.
"Our funding allows us to promote downtown through advertising, hosting our website and the Downtown Directory. We welcome new businesses and celebrate big milestones for existing businesses with brick presentations," Rider said.
"The funding helps us put together retailer events like Bazaar on the Bricks and the Christmas holiday programs, as well as community events we host, like the Downtown Hays Market and the FrostFest parade."
The DHDC board is in the process of planning several downtown beautification projects.
"We promote downtown as a whole," Rider said. "We want everybody to be successful because when one business succeeds, we all succeed."
Wines & Steins tickets are $65 for general admission and $85 for the VIP experience, which includes early check-in at the pavilion and personal delivery of a tasting glass and gifts earlier in the week.
Guests must be 21 to attend.