Link to Sip-N-Stroll Map

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What is Sip N’ Stroll? 


     Sip N’ Stroll is an initiative of Downtown Colonial Beach (DCB) — the local affiliate of Main Street America — and the Town of Colonial Beach Department of Economic Development, Grants, and Tourism. In 2021, the Commonwealth of Virginia adopted legislation (HB 2266) authorizing the Virginia ABC to issue Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) licenses to qualifying organizations. A DORA license allows customers to sip alcoholic beverages (beer, wine, or cocktails) while strolling through a designated outdoor area within a specified timeframe. Alcoholic beverages must be purchased from ABC-licensed establishments, but customers also may sip and stroll through other participating businesses that do not have ABC licenses located within the DORA, such as retail stores, art galleries, and other places of interest. Participation is voluntary and can have a positive impact on individual businesses as well as the downtown area as whole. 

     The Town of Colonial Beach recently re-applied for and received a DORA license for 2024. Downtown Colonial Beach and the Town of Colonial Beach will administer Sip N’ Strolls under the Town’s DORA license. The DORA license allows Colonial Beach to hold up to 16 DORA events (i.e., Sip N’ Strolls) in the specified zone throughout the year.


How does Sip N’ Stroll work? 


     During a designated Sip N’ Stroll, customers may purchase an alcoholic beverage at any one of the participating ABC-licensed establishments within the DORA and sip that beverage while strolling through the DORA and the participating businesses within it. Businesses such as shops, galleries, professional offices, cultural centers, and other nonreligious, nongovernmental entities can invite customers carrying alcoholic beverages into the businesses to shop, enjoy/buy art, view exhibits, learn about the business, or otherwise interact with the public. 

     However, beverages from one ABC-licensed establishment may not be carried into another ABC-licensed establishment. Customers must consume or discard their beverages and properly dispose of their cups before entering a different ABC-licensed establishment. All beverages must be served in cups that are marked as official DORA cups and bear the name of the establishment where it was purchased. 

Why should my organization participate? 

   Organizations participating in DORA events can utilize them as fundraising opportunities. If your 501c3 has an innovative fundraising idea that can be executed within the DORA zone and you commit to having at least three volunteer road monitors present at all times during the event, you can raise funds for your group. You might choose to have a themed approach to encourage visitors to contribute to your 501c3 organization. Firefighters could collect donations with boots, an athletics association could host a football toss game for donations, an arts group might offer face painting, or your group could simply station volunteers at high-traffic areas with a donation collection basket and a sign. Be sure to take lots of pictures of volunteers in action.

     If your organization wishes to use this opportunity to raise money with visitors as well as create some visibility and have photographs of your organization engaging with the community, please consider participating as a volunteer organizer for one of the monthly Sip N’ Stroll events. August and October “2nd Friday” Sip N’ Strolls are still available for 2024. Contact Sally Adams at sadams@colonialbeachva.gov to request a slot.

Who manages “Sip N’ Stroll”?  

     You already know that Sip N’ Stroll is part of the Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) ABC license held by the Town.  You may not know that last year's Sip N’ Stroll events were handled by one organization; Downtown Colonial Beach (DCB). This year DCB will continue to provide administrative support as well as assist in training any organization wishing to participate in Sip N’ Stroll. 

Sip N’ Stroll is an outreach for both businesses in the downtown area and residents and visitors to make connections through social interaction. We would love for you to be able to use these opportunities to raise money for your organization. You will need anywhere from three to six volunteers for a three hour time period for your organization’s Sip N’ Stroll date. All Sip N’ Stroll dates for volunteer groups outside of DCB are scheduled for 2nd Friday Artwalk evenings from 6-9pm.

     On 4th Fridays, volunteers from DCB handle volunteer responsibilities. They would welcome anyone over 21 who would like to be a Sip N’ Stroll ambassador. To be a Sip N’ Stroll volunteer, contact info@downtowncolonialbeach.org.

 

What do ambassadors do?

 

     A visibly identifiable ambassador from your organization will warmly greet guests and welcome them to the Colonial Beach Sip N’ Stroll with a map that identifies participating shops, galleries, retail venues, professional offices, and ABC-licensed businesses. The ambassador will be available for questions and directions. In addition, the ambassador will monitor the perimeter of the DORA zone to ensure that attendees dispose of their cup/beverage before leaving the zone and ensure no one enters the zone with an alcoholic beverage. Ambassador’s ensure that no alcoholic beverages from the Sip N’ Stroll are permitted on church property. For the Colonial Beach DORA zone, this means that no alcoholic beverages are on either St. Mary’s Episcopal Church or Colonial Beach Methodist Church property. The ambassador will make appropriate and cordial requests of patrons as needed in order to comply with the tenants of the DORA ABC license.

Why 2nd Friday Artwalk?


     2nd Friday Artwalk is an event created by Colonial Beach Artists Guild. Local galleries and other businesses open their doors in the evening from 6:00 to 9:00 PM every 2nd Friday for people to wander and enjoy looking at works by artists in the Northern Neck area and beyond. This monthly gallery walk was a perfect partner for the Town’s Sip N’ Stroll event. There are other Sip N’ Stroll events during the year but the most well attended has been the 2nd Friday Artwalk.




Sip N' Stroll Map

Sip N Stroll Map 2 - 2025Sip N Stroll Map 1 - 2025

How do I handle problems?

  •  If an ambassador has any questions or difficulties, they can contact: 

  • Colonial Beach Police will be present at each Sip N’ Stroll event and are ultimately responsible for the security and safety of the event and our attendees. 

  • In the case of an EMERGENCY, ambassadors should contact: 
    • Police Dispatch: (804) 493-8066 prior to contacting Susan/Eric.

   


Sip N' Strollers having a great time!

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