RIPON – The Ripon Chamber of Commerce is ready for the 16th annual Taste of Ripon wine-stroll event to take place on Thursday.

Ripon First Sergeant Steve Merchant said the chamber has obtained the necessary Alcoholic Beverage Control licenses to support the wine stroll through the business community.

“Due to the fact that alcohol is being served to ticket holders, you must be 21 years of age to participate in the event,” Merchant said.  “The license does not cover any business not participating and any business that holds their own event must obtain their own temporary license from ABC.”

Merchant pointed out that any business not having at least a one-day liquor license to sell or to furnish alcohol cannot attach themselves to another business license.

“Any business operating outside the parameters of an ABC license can be issued a citation for a misdemeanor violation of the Business and Professions Code by the Ripon Police Department,” the sergeant said.

He added that the police department will respond to all complaints and observed violations of local and state laws and handle them in an appropriate manner.  Questions can be answered at 599-2102.

Ripon’s 16th annual “Taste of Ripon” is sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce and supported by the Ripon Police Department.

The 5 to 9 p.m. event will be launched from the Ripon Chamber of Commerce office in the 900 block of West Main Street where members of the community are to pick up their wine glasses before walking store to store to sample wines and finger foods.

The chamber office will be open from 4 to 7 p.m. Admission to the wine tasting is $25 apiece.

Shuttle busses will be stopping at California Styling, PMZ Real Estate, Dr. Tana Henderson’s dental office, Schemper’s Hardware, Bank of Stockton, Ripon Roadhouse and Generations Spa & Salon.