Based on much lower ticket sales than anticipated, officials with the Escalon Chamber of Commerce made the decision at a board meeting on Sept. 10 to cancel this year’s downtown Wine and Brew Stroll.

The event was scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 20 but has officially been canceled.

“Based on the ticket sales, we were just not in a place where it would be feasible to put it on,” admitted Chamber Vice President Jessica Wylie. “We were nowhere near what we usually sell.”

Wylie said they made the decision to cancel it because they didn’t see getting enough ticket sales prior to the Sept. 20 event to put on the stroll. They did have plenty of food and beverage vendors lined up, she said.

They refunded the ticket price to those who had already purchased tickets for the Wine and Brew Stroll and also reached out to the sponsors to let them know of the situation.

“The businesses were really supportive,” Wylie added of the downtown Main Street businesses that typically pair with wineries or breweries to pour beverages outside the storefront while employees often help serve the food.

When contacting the sponsors, Wylie said they were offered a refund as well; many opted to put the sponsorship funds toward two upcoming Chamber events. The first is the popular Harvest on Main, which is set for Sunday, Oct. 5; the second is Christmas on Main, which will be put on in early December.

For the Harvest on Main, Wylie said it will be hosted from noon to 3 p.m. in the city’s Main Street Park and will include several dozen vendors, in addition to pumpkin carving for kids – with free pumpkins provided – along with a costume contest and various fun activities.

“The vendors will also have some candy for the kids, so they can do some trick or treating,” Wylie said.

With this year’s cancellation of the Wine and Brew Stroll, the Chamber board will have to re-evaluate and see if it is an event they will be able to continue in the future.