November 20 Event: Solvang’s Monthly “Third Wednesday” Beckons Holiday Shoppers and Scarecrow Enthusiasts

The November edition of Solvang’s monthly “Third Wednesday”, to be held on Wednesday, November 20, 2013, will offer ample opportunity for pre-Black Friday holiday shoppers to take advantage of deals and discounts all over town, and will also serve as the stage for the reveal of the winner of this year’s Santa Ynez Valley-wide “Scarecrow Fest”. Scarecrow Fest winners will be announced, and the contest’s trophy handed over, at 2:30 PM on November 20, at Solvang’s Wildling Art Museum (Mission Drive and Fifth Street).

November’s Third Wednesday has lots “in store” for savvy deal-seekers, with regular Third Wednesday discounts at local merchants and restaurants, the weekly Santa Barbara Certified Farmers Market, the popular Third Wednesday Wine & Beer Walk and deals at Solvang hotels, as well as another Third Wednesday “Cash Mob”. November’s “Cash Mob” gathering is at 5:20 PM, when “Mobbers” are invited to meet at the Gazebo in Solvang Park (Mission Drive and First Street), each bearing $10.00 to spend.

The “Cash Mob” will travel together to November’s “mystery” shopping location – one of Solvang’s merchants – who will offer an exclusive Third Wednesday discount on their wares, allowing “Mobbers” to put their $10.00 to good use. November’s “mystery” merchant is apropos of the impending holiday season, offering everything from practical items for everyday use, to great gift ideas and holiday décor.

As a reward to the “Mob” for showing their support of the “mystery” local business, all “Cash Mobbers” are invited to Carivintâs Winery’s Tasting Room post-shopping, where “Mob” guests will receive 20% off bottle purchases and can also buy wines by the glass, and/or wine tastings.

November’s “Cash Mob” will, for the first time, also feature a free raffle upon the “Mob” gathering, with two prizes being awarded: Ten “Solvang Dollars” to spend at November’s “mystery” shopping location, and ten “Solvang Dollars” to spend at November’s post-“Mob” drink spot.

“Cash Mob” latecomers who miss the 5:20 PM meeting time, will be able to find the November 20 “mystery” shopping destination on the Solvang Third Wednesday Facebook page.

The earlier part of November’s Third Wednesday will see the ultimate culmination of the month-long Fourth Annual Scarecrow Fest and Contest, as both the “Best Solvang Scarecrow” and the “Valley’s Best Scarecrow” are announced, with the presentation of the contest’s exclusive, handcrafted trophy, the “Harvest Cup”, to the Valley-wide winner. The announcements and trophy presentation will take place as mentioned above, 2:30 PM on November 20, at Solvang’s Wildling Art Museum. Post-trophy presentation, the winning town will be able to proudly display the Harvest Cup until the conclusion of the 2014 contest.

The 2013 rendition of the Annual Scarecrow Fest, which began in Solvang, was expanded to include the additional Santa Ynez Valley towns of Buellton, Ballard, Los Alamos, Los Olivos and Santa Ynez. During the month-long event, which runs October 11 through November 11, Valley businesses are participating in the contest by featuring a scarecrow of their own creation, posted at their location.

During Solvang’s contest run, locals, tourists and other area merchants voted via ballot boxes scattered about the City, for popular-vote scarecrow winners in eight different categories: “Most Danish”, “Best ‘Action’ Scarecrow”, “Best Use of Natural Materials”, “Best Traditional Scarecrow”, “Spookiest”, “Best Use of Business Theme”, “Most Humorous”, and “Best Use of Recycled Materials”.

The Solvang scarecrow winner from each of the eight popular-vote categories, as well as professionally-judged winners, will also be announced at the November 20 ceremony in addition to the “Best Solvang Scarecrow”, which will be competing with the winners from the other Santa Ynez Valley towns, to determine the “Valley’s Best Scarecrow”.

November Third Wednesday guests are encouraged to linger at the Wildling Art Museum, which will offer free admission from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and will be featuring two new exhibitions: The Santa Ynez River and Watershed as seen by The Oak Group and Hawaii’s Endangered Birds by Marian Berger.

Third Wednesday-goers can continue to soak up all of the day’s deals and discounts spread throughout the town, by venturing out on the afore-mentioned Wine & Beer Walk (3:00 PM to 7:00 PM), a monthly, ticketed activity ($20.00 per person) which includes wine or beer tastings at five venues of participants’ choice, a logo glass, and a map to guide tasters to crowd-pleasing Solvang watering holes like Wandering Dog Wine Bar; Sort This Out Cellars; Solvang Brewing Company; The Good Life, Craft Beer & Wine Cellar; Randy’s Taproom; the Olive House, and more.

November Third Wednesday visitors seeking a side of new skills with their shopping, can attend a Courtney & Glover-hosted (1607 Mission Drive, Suite 307) “Technology Workshop: For Apple Smartphones and Tablets”, which will cover features of the new iOS 7 operating system. The workshop will run from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM and reservations are required; please call 805.686.9108 for more information and to reserve a spot.

The November Third Wednesday learning curve continues with an interactive art demonstration at Solvang’s artist collective, Art Hus (475 First Street, #2; 805.686.1892), from 12 Noon to 2:00 PM, and a jewelry-making class at Kandra’s Beads (1539-A Mission Drive; 805.686.8804), from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

November’s Third Wednesday will also prep guests for the holiday season ahead, as ZFolio Gallery (1685 Copenhagen Drive) hosts the “Art of Accessorizing”, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Guests are invited to sip champagne and nibble on chocolates, as Personal & Wardrobe Stylist, Paula Parisotto, shares her professional tips for updating everyone’s style. And to keep event guests’ best accessory looking beautiful – their skin, that is – experts from A Blissful Place Wellness Spa & Learning Center will teach healthy skin and makeup techniques. Event is open to guests ages 21 and over; there is no fee to attend, but space is limited. For more information, please contact Darcy at darcy@zfolio.com.

Once again, visitors left weary from their day of food, wine and beer, culture, classes, styling, shopping and saving, can take advantage of Third Wednesday deals at some of Solvang’s best hotels, like 20% off of their night’s stay*, or complimentary Third Wednesday Wine & Beer Walk tickets* (*with a qualifying stay).

Held the third Wednesday of every month, “Solvang Third Wednesday” is a special promotion in partnership with the Solvang Chamber of Commerce, encouraging Central Coast visitors and locals to “Shop. Eat. Play.” More than 60 shops, restaurants, wine tasting rooms, activities and professional offices offer special sales and discounts all day.

More information about all Solvang Third Wednesday happenings, and a complete listing of all discount offers and events, is available at www.solvangthirdwednesday.com or via the free “Experience Solvang” app for iPhone. Solvang Third Wednesday is on Facebook and Twitter at www.facebook.com/SolvangThirdWednesday and twitter.com/CityOfSolvang. Free brochures are also available at the Solvang Visitors Center, 1639 Copenhagen Drive, Solvang, CA 93463.