Troup County residents enjoyed the annual holiday Sip and Shop in downtown LaGrange on Friday. Visitors paid to drink at local stores that stayed open in the evening for people to do holiday shopping.

“People love it, and we see the same groups of ladies who come every year as their thing. They like to do it as a group and the merchants love it, because it kicks off their holiday shopping season,” said Barbie Watts, Downtown LaGrange Development Authority director of promotions and marketing. “About 125 people do wine tasting. It gets people in the shops, it’s a little more of a relaxed atmosphere and the shops have more of an open house feel.”

Watts said the event helps new businesses get discovered. 

LaGrange residents Kim and Anna Meyers and Peggy Lukken said participating in the LaGrange Sip and Shop is a holiday tradition.

“My mom, Kim, and I have been coming for over 30 years to the holiday open house that’s around the square. Its the first tradition we have with the holiday season,” Kim said. “We always find things, unique gifts and items that we wouldn’t otherwise find, and we love to shop locally and support our local businesses downtown.”

Watts said every year the downtown shop owners pick a charity to which to contribute, and decided to give their Sip and Shop proceeds this year to Sleep in Heavenly Peace, which builds beds for local children.

“[Sip and Shop is] vital for the businesses here and for the community,” said Mark Scott, a vendor for Ye Old Red Door Antiques.