Staff Report
Leaders of the Solvang Chamber of Commerce and its revised Solvang 3rd Wednesday Committee are expressing satisfaction with format changes made in 2017 and promising to keep building on them.
The mission of the monthly promotion, which is held all year long, is to encourage local residents and visitors to discover, or to rediscover, Solvang and to “shop local.” In 2017 3rd Wednesday expanded the number of its entertainment offerings and business participants, as well as its monthly guest attendance, with an updated mantra of “Walk. Shop. Wine & Dine.”
On the third Wednesday of each month, more than 15 participating Solvang wine tasting rooms, wine bars and beer bars offer discounted tastings via the Solvang 3rd Wednesday Wine & Beer Walk; participating merchants offer promotions on merchandise; the weekly Farmers Market offers freshly harvested produce and gourmet goods; and 3rd Wednesday-organized seasonal special events provide a variety of local entertainment for the entire Santa Ynez Valley, as well as for tourists.
“Year-over-year, looking at 2016 and 2017, our total gross digital sales of Solvang 3rd Wednesday Wine & Beer Walk tickets jumped more than four and a half times. That means more Solvang Chamber funds available to help promote the businesses who participate in Solvang 3rd Wednesday,” said Tracy Beard, the chamber’s executive director.
In April 2017, a deal was added at select restaurants with a specially priced three-course Solvang 3rd Wednesday menu. Participating restaurants are Mad & Vin at The Landsby, Succulent Café and Cecco Ristorante, with others expected to join.
In 2017, Solvang 3rd Wednesday continued to produce the free outdoor Summer Concert Series in Solvang Park, adding additional weeks and performances to the season.
In 2018, the concert series will begin on June 13, running each Wednesday evening through Aug. 15, featuring a different band each week as well as food vendors and other entertainment in the park. Bonus performances will be scheduled for select Friday evenings as well.
Solvang 3rd Wednesday will also continue to produce the annual Santa Ynez Valley Scarecrow Fest, scheduled from Oct. 1-31 in 2018.
More information about Solvang 3rd Wednesday and a complete listing of discount offers and events, is available at www.solvang3rdwednesday.com or by following the chamber on Twitter or Facebook.
Free brochures are also available at the Solvang Visitors Center, 1639 Copenhagen Drive.
