The Mount PleasantTitus County Chamber of Commerce served up a new event that satisfied the avid runner and whet the palates of Texas wine connoisseurs. The Everything Texas Uncorked Ranch Run & Wine Festival debuted Oct. 11 at Priefert Ranch. The Go Texancertified event promoted Texas -made, Texas-grown products. 225 runners registered for the Ranch Run, which included three levels, a 15K run for the serious runner, a 5K run for the fitness runner and a 1K run
for kids that led off by horses. The run was being managed by Run Time, a professional race company based in Dallas. There was also a Kids Corral where kids could to dig up bones. The wine festival featured wine tastings from eight Texas wineries, arts and crafts vendors, food and live entertainment. The goal of the new event is to promote the Chamber’s ‘Everything Texas’ brand and to promote Texas ranch life in general. “This event is the highlight of what portrays ‘Everything Texas’ with the scenic views from the ranch – the trees, the pastures, the cows - as you’re
running and sipping your wine, said Chamber CEO Faustine Curry. “That’s what makes Texas special.” The Chamber is excited to be able to bring the unique event to Mount Pleasant, especially in light of the city recently being named the No. 11 tourist destination in the state. “With wine vineyards and Texas wines being such a big industry and agricultural product in Texas, we feel that this will fit perfectly with our ‘Everything Texas’ branding and the tourism award,” Curry said. Vendors at the festival offered unique Texas or
wine-related products. For example, Sweet shop USA offered chocolates in cases that fit over wine bottles. The Wreckin’ Shop sold Texasinspired furniture and Hamilton’s Jewelers brought its cheese boards, cutting boards and wine taps. To complement the wine tastings, the Texas Gulf Shrimpers Association and the Southwest Dairy Farmers Association provided shrimp and cheese samples. “We’re excited about the opportunities that this new event brings to Mount Pleasant and for visitors to explore Everything Texas,” Curry said.