Funds to benefit local charity, The Ballard House
Katy’s most beloved and celebrated original wine and culinary event is celebrating the 21st edition of Katy Sip N Stroll. This impactful event is ready to once again pour for a purpose.
In 2020 Sip N Stroll launched a new format for COVID safety, demonstrating that socializing and safety can successfully occupy the same space while benefiting a worthy cause, The Ballard House.
Katy Sip N Stroll will take place on Saturday, April 17, 2021 at Katy’s newest event center, The ARK by Norris Event Center. Participants will feel safe at the event as they enjoy the indoor and outdoor displays spaced throughout the event grounds. The bi-annual event offers locals a fantastic evening enjoying and discovering culinary creations from top Katy-area restaurants, over 100 wine selections, craft beer and select craft spirits. Tickets are all-inclusive – $65 for General Admission and $95 VIP. VIP includes early entry at 5:00 p.m. plus premium wine and culinary selections. Tickets are limited due to continued COVID restrictions. Visit www.sipandstroll.com for ticket purchase.
New at this spring’s edition is The Spirits Patio. There will be a tasting of a variety of craft premium spirits and is open to all ticket holders. Also new in 2021 is the option to purchase your own private table at the event. Pricing per group size available upon request.
Sip N Stroll benefits The Ballard House, a 40 guest-suite hospitality house which offers no-cost housing for patients and their families who are in the Houston area receiving treatment for a life-threatening illness. The Ballard House is located at 21421 Cinco Park Road in Katy. Their recent expansion added 16 guest rooms, a living room, kitchen and laundry room for guests to use free of charge. Funds raised from Sip N Stroll ticket sales and sponsorships are funneled directly into operations for The Ballard House, making this season’s “can’t miss event” more timely than ever. To date, over $345,000 has been raised for The Ballard House through Sip N Stroll efforts providing a whopping 12,778 room nights.
Highlights of this spring’s event include exciting news of bringing back the annual Premier Culinary Awards – Presented by Goya Foods with an on-stage presentation to the winning restaurant as selected by an esteemed panel of judges. Judges include Food Network’s Chopped Winner, Evelyn Garcia; Francine Spiering, food writer, editor and Le Cordon Bleu-Paris Chef, PBS Host of “The Houston Cookbook” David Cordua; Katy Fort Bend Foodie Group Founder, Andrew Leeper; and a Goya Foods Culinary Expert.
Participating restaurants and chefs vying for the Premier Culinary Award include Alicia’s Mexican Grille, The ARK by Norris Catering, Bundt Cake-A-Holic, Fadi’s Mediterranean, Mala Sichuan Bistro, State Fare Kitchen & Bar, Phat Eatery, YELO – new Bahn Mi Artisan eatery in Katy, Dish Society, Gringo’s Mexican Kitchen, J Bistro Style Catering, Nirvana Indian Restaurant, Torchy’s Tacos, and Mason’s Creative Catering in VIP with new additions to come.
Other features include All Things Bubbly, with sparkling wines, champagne and nibbles; live music on two stages including Katy’s own Kristen Hart on the Back Lot Music Stage; and the crowd-pleasing Robert Hartye Band on the Party Stage’ Sweet Station for those with a sweet tooth and artisan vendors with unique finds and a wine pull benefiting The Ballard House.
Tickets include a keepsake glass and an all-inclusive culinary and wine sampling experience from 6-9 pm starting at $65 for general admission. Patrons have the option to upgrade to the VIP Zone for premium wine and food selections, and access to all festivities one hour before general admission guests arrive for only $95.
Thanks to our partners, Keller Williams Premier for presenting sponsor in 2021.Sponsorships, restaurant enrollment and vendor participation are still available. Tickets on sale now at www.sipandstroll.com.
Sip N Stroll boasts more than 100 wine selections from the likes of Alexander Valley Vineyards, Bogle, Meiomi, Llano Estacado, Michael David Winery – Wine Enthusiasts Winery of the Year 2021, The Hess Collection, Educated Guess, Robert Mondavi, Imagery, Chloe, Tribute, and Lighthearted with new additions to come. There will be an all-new Spirits Patio with the following tastings: Vido Vodka, Maestro Dobel and 1800 Tequila, Glendalough Scottish Gin, Screwball Peanut Butter Whiskey and Templeton Rye Whiskey.
Sip N Stroll is a night filled with wineries, local chef-inspired eats, engaging sponsor and vendor displays with unique finds.
Volunteer and sponsorship opportunities available.
Sponsors for the April 17th event include Keller Williams as Presenting, Goya Foods presenting the Premier Culinary Awards, Alexander Valley Vineyards , Cane Island, Constellation Brands, OneLife Chiropractic, and The Wine Group.
In kind partners include Cinco Ranch Southwest Community Council, Core Details Printing, Covering Katy, Ferguson’s, Genesis Photographers, Kelly Sweet Photography, Katy Parent Magazine, Katy Times. SpeedPro Imaging The Woodlands, and Swoon Media.
To date, Katy Sip N Stroll has raised more than $345,000 to support The Ballard House, which has surpassed more than 37,000 nights of free lodging and host to more than 7,600 guests coming from all over the world as of February 2021.
WHAT: Katy Sip N Stroll
WHEN: Saturday, April 17, 2021 from 6:00-9:00 p.m., with VIP access at 5:00p.m.
WHERE: The ARK by Norris Event Center – 21402 Merchants Way, Katy, TX (formerly known as Noah’s Event Center)
TICKETS:
- $65 general admission
- $95 VIP access at 5:00 p.m. and a dedicated VIP area, plus designated parking
Sip N Stroll Executive Planning Committee has volunteer working posts available. For consideration to be on the committee and for exhibitor and sponsor information, contact Constance McDerby at 832-250-8917 or constance@foodandvinetime.com.
BENEFITS:
A 501c3 organization, Cinco Charities® Inc. was founded in 2006 by a group of Keller Williams Premier Realty agents and has provided “a home away from home” for hundreds of patients and their caregivers since its inception. The organization has continuously extended their commitment to those in need by providing no-cost housing at The Ballard House, meeting the growing needs of patients coming to the Katy/West Houston Medical Center for treatment for life-threatening illnesses. The patients and their families have traveled to Katy from 27 different states, and 45 Texas cities and rural communities. Although they come from as far away as Poland and Canada for their treatments, The Ballard House is truly “home” to those in need. Dr. Gregory Chronowski, Associate Professor of Radiology Oncology at MD Anderson’s Katy Cancer Center said that “if it were not for Ballard House, a number of my patients would not have been able financially to come for cancer treatment and probably would not have lived.”
“The Ballard House is a symbol of the warm and welcoming spirit of Katy’s community,” said Kathy Alt, Ballard House Executive Director. “The need for housing assistance has exploded the last couple of years. Now is a critical time to support The Ballard House as we are daily answering the need from West Houston’s growing medical community by providing patients and their families free lodging and other services so they can concentrate on receiving their treatment.”
The Katy Sip N Stroll, presented by Keller Williams, is one of Cinco Charities major fundraising events to support the operating costs of The Ballard House. Enthusiastic participation in the auction provides proceeds to directly benefit The Ballard House mission, and is greatly appreciated by attendees.
TICKETS: Get your tickets today at www.sipandstroll.com
INFO: For more information about The Ballard House, visit
http://www.theballardhouse.org/
