Foodies and runners will come together on Main Street this weekend, as the Downtown Newark Partnership launches a new event downtown: the Five and Wine 5-Mile Run/Walk. Runners and walkers will cross the starting line on E. Main Street on Saturday, March 25 at 9 a.m. The inaugural event will be followed by Newark's 13th Annual Wine & Dine from 12 - 5 p.m.
"Wine and Dine has always been a great day for residents and visitors to experience the wide variety of good food and fine wine downtown Newark has to offer," said Community Affairs Officer Megan McNerney. "The addition of the Five and Wine also highlights downtown Newark as a destination for runners."
The Five and Wine starts at the corner of Main and Academy Streets, and finishes on Academy Street. The event then concludes with an after party on the Academy Lawn, which will feature a preview of what many of the restaurants will be offering later that day during Wine and Dine. Participants will also receive two complementary Wine and Dine drink tickets to redeem at participating restaurants from 12 - 2 p.m.
During the Five and Wine, the left lane of E. Main Street will be closed to traffic from the Pomeroy Trail to S. Main Street. The left lane of W. Delaware Avenue will be closed from S. Main Street to Orchard Road.
"You do not see many 5-mile runs in Delaware, especially runs that allow you to run down Main Street." said Nic DeCaire, owner of Fusion Racing. "The after-party ties in fitness with the best culinary menu around."
Wine and Dine showcases dozens of wines paired with creative food offerings from 14 of downtown Newark's restaurants. The first 2,000 participants will receive a complimentary wine glass and wine yoke. This is a pay-as-you-go event that takes place in the restaurants. All City of Newark municipal parking meters and lots will be free during the events.
In addition to good food and drinks, six bands will be performing at the Academy Building Lawn during Five and Wine and Wine and Dine. The music line-up is as follows:
The Five and Wine 5-mile Run/Walk and 13th annual Wine and Dine are made possible through the support of generous sponsors: Fusion Racing, Newark Toyota World, DEMEC, JMT, Porter Auto Group, Matt Slap Subaru, Del-One Federal Credit Union, Compliance Environmental Inc. and WJBR. To register to participate in the Five & Wine click here (https://runsignup.com/Race/DE/Newark/FiveWine).For a full list of participating restaurants and menus, please visit enjoydowntownnewark.com/winedine.