Stomp Grapes at Solvang's Newest Celebration

Been looking up at windmills? Best look down at the juicy jewels you're crushing underfoot at this brand-new bash.

SOLVANG, IT MAY BE ACCURATELY STATED, is a burg that's very much built upon hallowed yearly traditions, and lively parades that have promenaded for decades, and Christmassy observances that feel as anticipated as the yule log and a cup of nog. But to say that the Danish capital of America doesn't incorporate the new/now is to not know the town, and its knack for embracing cool eats, zippy vinos, and a quality modern trend, which it has proven, time and again. And a very new-to-Solvang event will join the town's already thick-with-parties calendar in the fall, giving oenophiles visiting the wine-famous place even more reason to kick back and... take off their shoes. For Solvang, which sits at the heart of so many accoladed vineyards, tasting rooms, and wine-rich restaurants, is kicking off its very own grape-stomping celebration called the Solvang Grape Stomp. And the inaugural outing will stomp-stomp-stomp on...

SATURDAY, OCT. 13... from 2 to 5 in the afternoon. The location for what Solvang is charmingly referring to as a "footie" festival? First street, downtown, between Mission Drive/Highway 246 and Copenhagen Drive. Will there be vats full of ready-to-crush grapes? Oh goodness, yes, and if you're over the age of 21, and you purchase a general admission ticket for $75, you'll have a crack at entering those grapeful containers with the sole mission of messily and merrily stomping a whole bunch of grapes. There's a VIP ticket option for $100, which nets you early entry by an hour and a food taste ticket, but whatever ticket you go with, do make sure you're 21 or over. And, you bet, there will be food trucks nearby, if that's your thing, and tastings from area wineries, too, oh yeah. And if your thing is...

DRESSING UP... in the memorable manner of Lucille Ball? From her famously comical TV stint crushing grapes? You're invited to gussy up as Lucy or Ricky Ricado for a Look-a-Like Contest. All of the details are here, and, knowing Solvang like we know you do, you can bet that this autumn lark will soon join the other well-known traditions of the town, festivities that have become as sweetly Solvangian as a slowly turning windmill.

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