By Rachel Knight
On April 20 from 2 to 6pm, adults 21 and older have an opportunity to see what Ernest Tubb meant when he sang, There’s a Little Bit of Everything in Texas. The third annual Groovy Grapes Wine Walk highlights Texas wine, music, art, and unique downtown Navasota vibes on Easter weekend.
According to Johnny McNally, executive director of the Navasota Grimes County Chamber of Commerce, the purpose of Groovy Grapes Wine Walk is twofold. He says the Chamber hopes to bring new visitors to the area and improve the quality of life in Navasota by hosting events like Groovy Grapes.
Festivities begin when you check in at the Navasota Visitor Center on Washington Avenue. Once you’ve purchased your $20 ticket, you receive a souvenir wine glass, welcome bag, wine walk map, and wristband that gets you wine and food tastings at every stop. With your wine glass in hand, you can stroll the five blocks of downtown Navasota at your own pace while sipping wine from Texas wineries, shopping, listening to live music, viewing art exhibits, and simply taking in the groovy vibes.
“When we do these events, people tend to walk away saying, ‘I had no idea Navasota had these great places,’” McNally says. “The Navasota logo is ‘So Much, So Close.’ People don’t realize that we have a lot to offer that is unique to Navasota. The city has gone full force in a beautification effort for downtown.”
Many of the beautification efforts can be enjoyed during Groovy Grapes, including new sidewalks with American Disabilities Act compliant intersections, lighting that harkens back to the turn of the century, a beautiful City Hall that replicates the one originally built in the 1900s, unique boutiques, shops, restaurants, and art galleries.
“The last event we had like this was in November,” McNally shares. “I had a guy come up to me who said, ‘I feel like I’m in a little town in California.’ I was so complimented, because I know exactly what he is talking about: these little towns that host these street festivals. It was a cool evening, it was pretty, and music was playing on the corners, people were walking and sipping wine. It really did have a California vibe to it.”
Each downtown merchant on the wine walk map has wine, food, or both for participants to sample while exploring their offerings. The wine is provided by Texas wineries while food is provided by downtown merchants. McNally says about 15 businesses are expected to participate in the wine walk this year. The Chamber encourages business owners to provide a variety of samples. Previous years have featured Thai, Italian, barbecue, sliders, veggies, fruit, cheese, bread, and other finger foods. However, not all stops are alcoholic. “For instance, the baby store tends to do root beer or something like that,” McNally says. “The coffee shop, a lot of times they’ll do coffee.”
The art and live music featured on the wine walk are provided by local artists and musicians. Three art displays include the two art galleries in downtown Navasota and a pop-up exhibit from the current artists in residence at the Horlock House, a historic home and art gallery in Navasota. While Navasota is best known musically for its connection to blues singer, guitarist, and songster Mance Lipscomb, Groovy Grapes is ushering a new sound into Navasota this year, according to McNally.
“My original plan for Groovy Grapes was to be groovy and have 60s music, but so far I haven’t been able to pull that off,” McNally shares. “In years past, it’s been more blues related. This year, I’m trying to get younger artists and give them a chance to have a place to perform.”
Whether you’re a long-time Navasota resident, first-time visitor, or somewhere in between, Groovy Grapes offers you a chance to get into the downtown Navasota groove and see that there truly is a little bit of everything in this Texas town. “It’s a great time,” McNally shares. “You just have a lot of fun.”
