Popular Royal Oak Wine Stroll Expands

Royal Oak retailers are ready to pour it on Saturday afternoon as the city hosts the , featuring more than two dozen restaurants, bars and a variety of stores and salons.

Each restaurant or bar involved in the event will feature one wine and an appetizer. This year's event is expanding, with some new restaurants and retailers participating and 300 more tickets being made available. Last year, the event sold out its 1,200 tickets. A bigger draw is expected this year with 1,500 tickets available.

"We have a few new venues participating this year who did not last year," said Wendy Christie of Quill Communications. ", Woody's, and . We also have more retailers who do not have wine samples, but are offering special discounts for Wine Strollers."

This is the first year Tom's Oyster Bar will participate in the Wine Stroll. "We're really excited about it," manager Chris Rose said. "The wine that we'll be featuring is a Domaine de Millet and our appetizer is a salmon pate."

Other featured restaurants include , , , , , , , , ,  and .

Featured retail locations that will have wine tastings are: , , , , ,  and .

Retail locations offering discounts and appetizers include , , Eye Candy, , , Scout,  and .

The Royal Oak Restaurant Association and Downtown Development Authority put together the Wine Stroll, which begins at noon with the wine and deals flowing until 5 p.m. Tickets are $40 in advance and $50 the day of the event. Proceeds will benefit  and the . 

"The year prior, $20,000 was raised for charity from the Wine Stroll," Christie said.

Check-in for the event is at Fifth Street and Washington or Third and Main streets. Wine strollers must present a valid ID to partake in the festivities.

Tickets are available at all participating locations and online at www.neptix.com/events/3041.