Take a walk on the wassail side Saturday, Dec. 12, in historic downtown Batesville.
The inaugural Main Street Wassail Walk will encourage people to stroll Main Street Batesville and get to know downtown merchants over a cup of wassail and hors d’oeuvres.
A yuletide drink in England since Medieval times, Wassail is a mulled cider, spiced with seasonal items like ginger, cinnamon, and clove.
“It can be hot or cold; it can be alcoholic or non-alcoholic,” Main Street Batesville board chairman, Brian Coltharp, said. “It can be apple cider, it can be pear cider. There are many different versions of wassail.”
For a $5 ticket benefiting Main Street Batesville, available in advance or at participating merchants, people can sample a wide variety of wassail styles from 10 confirmed participants: Beneath the Willow, the Main Street Batesville office, Batesville Area Arts Council, Thompson’s Jewelry, Main Attire, Tomahawk Chop Company, Natural State Running, Autry’s White River Furniture, Clara Jane & Jax, and the Melba Theater.
Lasting from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m., participants will receive a punch card and walking map that doubles as a ballot to vote for the maker of the ‘Best Wassail.’ Cards can be purchased at any participating merchant.
“We will have hand sanitizing stations available and merchants are abiding by capacity restrictions,” noted Mandi Curtwright, Main Street Batesville executive director.
“And all the businesses are going to be providing their own COVID precautions, whether it means they host it outside if the weather is permitting, or they will have pre-packaged, ready to grab-and-go items,” Curtwright said.
“Batesville is such a great place and I think we have a lot of hidden gems that sometimes people don’t know about,” Coltharp said. “So, this is a way for the businesses that participate to have their stores decorated and showcase what they have to offer, as well as help out Main Street Batesville.”
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