BETHLEHEM, Pa. - You don't need hiking boots on this buzzworthy trail of fun — a good pair of sneakers will do.
Organizers hope folks grab something green and head to the city for Bethlum Go Bragh, a cocktail trail on Saturday, March 11, that will feature St. Patrick's Day-inspired sips.
- Bethlum Go Bragh, a St. Patrick's Day-themed cocktail trail, takes place Saturday, March 11
- The trail is part of a series of seasonal events sponsored by the Downtown Bethlehem Association
- Tickets are $45 per person
During the event, attendees will make stops at 20 restaurants and shops to pick up samples of drinks on a 1.5-mile walk through Broad and Main streets in the historic district.
A way to boost tourism
The cocktail trail is sponsored by the Downtown Bethlehem Association (DBA), which organizes an estimated 30 events per year in an effort to boost tourism and encourage people to shop and eat locally.
The events often take place before a holiday or are tied to a season such as the popular wine, soup and beer trails that coincide with Harvest Fest in September.
The association began hosting its trails in the mid-2000s, according to Tammy Wendling, vice president of Bethlehem Initiatives for the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce.
"Back then, we only sold 100 or 200 tickets, now we sell around 800 tickets for the Christmas trails," she said.
"The trails are definitely a great opportunity for people to come downtown and to get visitors into the historic district. We have a following of people that come to Bethlehem solely for the trails."
Sweet deals
The city's most recent fete was held on Feb. 11 and included 18 stops at popular spots such as Edge Restaurant, Christmas City Spirits and Clusters Handcrafted Popcorn.
The chocolate trail, which cost $45 per person and sold out a month in advance, gave locals and visitors alike a chance to try something sweet ahead of Valentine's Day.
Executive chef Allan Dotterer of Corked 2.0 served about 150 pieces of white milk chocolate made with caramel sauce for the occasion.
"We got a lot of people coming in trying the chocolate, and then they ended up getting a couple drinks at the bar," he said. "Some even stayed for lunch."
Dotterer and restaurant staff also participated in the soup trail held last autumn where they took home an award for the best soup (attendees can vote for their favorites after completing the trails).
"Events like this are good advertisement," he said.
Many shoppers also dressed in pink while attending the chocolate trail, which only added to the festive fun.
Katie Mahoney, of Easton, bought some passion fruit jalapeño vinegar from Seasons Olive Oil and Vinegar Taproom, and a box of pecan truffles for her mom from Chocolate Lab.
"I would definitely come to this next year. Some of these shops I've never been in and they have neat things," she said.
"A lot of people who come to the trails do not patronize or visit the businesses downtown, so it's big exposure."Thomas Anderko, the owner of Musselman Jewelers
'Big exposure'
Local businesses and retailers often host merchandise sales intertwined with live music during the trails and other DBA-sponsored initiatives.
Thomas Anderko, the owner of Musselman Jewelers, is a longtime participant in the summer concert series that takes place on Main Street.
He hired a singer during the chocolate trail to set the mood for romance — and perhaps entice people to purchase some fine jewelry.
The shop moved to 420 Main St. from up the street in 2016.
"People come in during the trails and other events and didn't realize that we moved," he said. "A lot of people who come to the trails do not patronize or visit the businesses downtown, so it's big exposure."
Tickets to Beth-lum Go Bragh cost $45 per person.
