For the third year in a row, a retail area of Kent will be reserved for women only from 6-9 p.m. May 23.
The “Wine, Women, WOW!” event, presented by the Kent Downtown Partnership and Kent MultiCare, will take place that Friday, providing a place for local women to let their hair down. The event takes place at the Green River Community College campus at Kent Station.
“It’s the only event in South King County that I know of devoted to celebrating women and catering to only women,” said Sommer Ueda, co-chair of the event.
Women in attendance will find almost 40 participating vendors and restaurants offering shopping, pampering, food sampling and wine tasting. Health and fitness services will also be available. Special guests Mayor Suzette Cooke and YWCA representatives will be featured, and live music will be provided by folk-rock band Raining Jane.
Ueda said previous years have seen more than 200 women show up for the event, and they hope that number will grow this year.
“The first year we had about 200, last year we had 250 and this year we anticipate 300,” she said. “We’ve had women from as far north as Seattle and as far south as Tacoma come.”
Proceeds from the event will go to support the Kent Downtown Partnership and the YWCA’s Domestic Violence Program. Ueda said the organizers are setting their fundraising sights high this year.
“It’d be great if we raised $5,000 for the Kent Downtown Partnership, because that in turn goes to support local businesses,” she said. “And at a minimum, we’d like to donate $500 to the YWCA.”
Ueda said the event is always an exciting time, and this year’s “Aloha” theme will make it more colorful than ever.
“It’s just a really fun evening out with your girlfriend, best friend, mother, sister or daughter,” Ueda said.
Tickets for “Wine, Women, WOW!” cost $20 each in advance and $25 at the door. Each ticket comes with two wine-tasting tickets.
To buy tickets, call 253-813-6976 or visit the Kent Downtown Partnership, Renaissance Yarns, Perk-Up Place, Salon Ivoni, Earthworks Gem Design Studio or Bella Home & Garden. Space is limited to the first 300 guests.
For more information, including a complete list of sponsors and vendors, call 253-813-6976 or visit www.winewomenwow.com.
Contact Daniel Mooney at 253-437-6012 or dmooney@reporternewspapers.com.
