Winery to host sip and shop event
Wendy Alexander/The Madera Tribune
Kirsten Hefner, owner of smallshop.with_k sells homemade items and will host a vendor fair at San Joaquin Winery on Sunday, December 4.
San Joaquin Winery and smallshop.with_k are teaming up to host the Central Valley Sip and Shop at the winery this weekend.
The event, organized by smallshop.with_k’s Kirsten Hefner, will be held Sunday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
“I’ve done a few Sip and Shops,” Hefner said. “This might be the second holiday one I’ve done. I’ve done one of these every month this year between San Joaquin Winery and Solitary Cellars, probably 10.”
Hefner has 32 vendors lined up for the small business event, weather permitting, she says.
“We have everything from soaps, candles, clay jewelry, tumblers, house plants, desserts,” she said. “The Macias food truck and Simply Scrumptious will sell food. We have Clash, a coffee trailer. You can also buy some wine at San Joaquin Winery.”
In addition, Hefner has invited all of her vendors to create a holiday wreath to be raffled off. All of the proceeds from the raffle will be donated to the Madera County Animal Shelter.
“I’m hoping all of the vendors provide a wreath so we can raise some good money for the shelter,” she said. “With your raffle ticket, you will be able to vote on your favorite wreath and that also puts you in the running to win the wreath. The one you vote for, that’s what they will be in the running for.”
Attendees are invited to bring in a item to be donated to the animal shelter like blankets, dry dog food and toys and, in return, they will receive a free raffle ticket. Additional raffle tickets will also be sold for $1.
“I just wanted to help them out for the holidays,” Hefner said.
DJ Squintz will provide the entertainment and Santa Claus will be there to take photos.
“We will have an area for Santa,” she said.
Hefner hopes to get a large crowd for the her last event of the year.
“I just want to bring the community together,” she said. “I get good feedback from the vendors on all the support the community brings to their small businesses.”
Also providing entertainment will be dancers from All About Dance and Gymnastics.
Hefner has plans if Mother Nature decides not to cooperate and rain on the event.
“If it is raining this weekend, we are permitted to go inside,” she said. “So, it will go on, rain or shine. We will have everyone covered.”
In previous events, Hefner has ranged from 200-400 people, depending on the time of the year.
“The holiday festivities will bring more people out, I hope,” she said. “Hopefully, we can get local support in buying Christmas gifts.”
