By Douglas W. Motley
Senior Writer

July’s Corks & Hops wine and beer walk, which is slightly delayed due to last week’s Jamboree Days festivities, will take place this coming Saturday, July 13, along its usual route through the Lake Gregory Village business district and Top Town Crestline.
Saturday’s fine wine and craft beer and ale sampling event, now in its third year, will take place during its usual 3 to 8 p.m. time slot, with registration and wrist bands available at the Arrowhead Credit Union parking lot staging area, as well as the street-side registration booth in Top Town.
While tickets purchased one week prior to the event and day-of-event tickets are $35 each, Early Bird Basic beer and wine tastings tickets, which entitle the ticketholder to get 11 beer or wine tastings, can be purchased for $25 online at https://corksnhops.com/#about. “Ale You Can Get” upgrade passes – normally $45 each – which entitle the bearer to get two extra full-size pours, are available at the same website for just $35 each.
According to Crestline Chamber of Commerce President Louis Boehle, more than 300 people participated in last month’s season opener. “Attendance was more than double last year’s season opener,” he said.
Last month’s third season kick-off was festive, at times loud and raucous, with bands playing at several of the pour stations in the Lake Gregory business district and a DJ at another in Top Town. The mood on the free shuttle buses transporting participants between Top Town and the Lake Gregory business district was also festive and celebratory. Much the same is expected at this weekend’s event, as well the usual live music, food and craft vendors’ booths, and food tastings at several local restaurants.
Tasting stations at last month’s Corks & Hops event were located at Rim Bowling, Ace Garden Center, Bizzyland, Lake Gregory’s North Shore beach, Designed by Faith Liberation Therapies, Trinket Trader, Encompass/Espie Bakes, all on Lake Drive. Top Town Crestline featured two more pouring stations at My Favorite Things and Hearth and Sage.
“It was great seeing everybody out enjoying our town,” Boehle said.