SALISBURY — Ahead of Wine About Winter, downtown merchants met Wednesday to go over what to expect for Friday’s event at City Council Chambers.

Bob Potter of Salisbury Wine Shop and Gianni Moscardini of La Cava spoke to the crowd to give an overview and answer questions business participants had. More than 750 tickets have been sold for the sixth annual Wine About Winter with more sales expected. Forty-four downtown businesses will stay open later that usual to pour tastes of wine.

Larissa Harper, executive director of Downtown Salisbury Inc., said Wine About Winter adds something different for the social nightlife while giving exposure to businesses and catering to wine enthusiasts.

Participants will receive a souvenir wine glass, a wristband and a map with shops and their offerings to punch off. They can visit shops and restaurants by walking or riding the trolley and receive 20 different 1-ounce pours.

“We want people to go down the whole downtown area,” Potter said. 

Latoya Price, marketing and events coordinator of DSI, said some stores will offer discounts or specials. DSI will offer 20 prizes through social media after the event.

Every business participant will provide information about the wine. Bottles of the selected Wine About Winter will be available for purchase at Salisbury Wine Shop.

Heather Teeter, the owner of Sweet Meadow Cafe, said Wine About Winter is exciting and a lot of fun. She said the downtown events allow for her to see new faces and introduce herself to people who are unfamiliar with the cafe.

Teeter has been a Wine About Winter stop since the beginning when only 12 locations were participating. She said 700 people would’ve been an unfathomable number of attendees. Last year, more than 1,000 tickets were sold.

Each business will have 28 bottles of wine to pour, which will serve about 700 people a taste.

Stephanie Potter of Salisbury Wine Shop selected the wines.

Wine About Winter will be from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday. The will-call ticket booth will open at 4 p.m. at the Gateway Building, at 204 E. Innes St.

To purchase a ticket, visit Lee Street Theatre’s website, go to City Hall or buy one at will call on Friday night. Tickets cost $22.50 and will be $30 the day of the event.

Ticket sales will support future Downtown Salisbury Inc. activities.