The Downtown Issaquah Association will be closing its annual Wine & Art Walk of the year on June 1.

The Downtown Issaquah Wine & Art Walk is a community event held on first Saturdays, March–June from 6-9 p.m.

The Art & Wine Walks began as two separate community events. The art walks, which were spearheaded by Michael Johnson and Greg Springs, launched in the early 2000s.

“They wanted to find a way to enliven Downtown,” said Keith Watts, a former Downtown Issaquah Association board member. “Front Street wasn’t what it was back then. It didn’t have the foot traffic it has now.”

The art walks gained in popularity over the years but began to plateau around 2010, Watts said. It was at that point the then-executive director introduced the idea of wine walks throughout Downtown. The wine walks brought more life back into Front Street and increased attendance to both events. In 2017, the Downtown Issaquah Association decided to join the two events together to create the Issaquah Wine & Art Walks.

At the Wine & Art Walks, the community is invited to an evening of wine tasting, art and demonstrations, live music and fun downtown scene. Front Street shops and restaurants are open during the Art & Wine Walk — all ages are welcome to enjoy at no charge. Tickets are required for wine tasting.

“It’s really a time to showcase all the great businesses and talent we have here,” said Julie Martin, executive director for the Downtown Issaquah Association.

Participating wineries include Bunnell Family Cellar, Davenport Cellars, DeLille Cellars, Genoa Cellars, Long Road Winery, Marcus Sophia Winery, Naches Heights Vineyard, Patterson Cellars, Patterson Cellars, Sagemoor, TR Wines, Inc. and Zerba Cellars.

Front Street Wine & Art Walk venues include ArtByFire Glass Blowing Studio, artEAST Art Center, Chicago Pastrami, Fischer Meats, Owls Foley, Pelage Spa, Experience Tea, Historic Depot Museum, Yum-E Yogurt, Revolve Consignment and One Mind Yoga.

Live music includes Bob Limbocker, Levi Gillis Trio, Freemont Drummers and John Groves, Rock Academy, Correo Aereo and Cool School Jazz All Stars.

“This has really allowed the community to explore and see all that we have to offer,” Watts said. “The Art & Wine Walks have really helped change Downtown and make it what it is today.”

Tickets available at: www.downtown issaquah.com/wine-walk.