News Release

WARSAW — A new event in downtown Warsaw arrives Friday.

The event is a cooperative effort between merchants, artists aligned by the Lakeland Art Association gallery,  and street musicians providing an evening of local shopping, sipping and sidewalk artistry.

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Retail shops will be providing complimentary wine and cheese to shoppers while art vendors and musicians line downtown sidewalks.

Shoppers will check in online at each retail shop they visit to obtain their complimentary beverage and be entered to win a $50 gift certificate, according to a news release from Main Street Warsaw.

Six artists will have items for sale with booths spread around downtown.

A handful of musicians will provide live music.

“The event not only highlights our downtown retail shops and our focus on becoming a cultural and art destination but also the unique benefit of Downtown’s DORA district, which allows for walking through downtown with an alcoholic drink in DORA-approved cups,” said Terry Sweeney, downtown development director for Main Street Warsaw.

Male Fashions is one of the eight retail shops that will be participating in Sip N Shop.

“We are excited to welcome shoppers for this event and hope they enjoy downtown’s charm and ambience as they stroll the sidewalks from shop to shop,” said owner Tim Hamman.

Other shops include Finely and Co., Brooch Boutique, The Cove-Elysian, Glam Boutique and Buffalo Street Emporium, Nicodemus Games and Cards, and Moving Pictures Tattoo Cinema.

Lakeland Art Association, which moved into downtown earlier in 2025, will be open as well and has recruited the art vendors lining the street.

Lakeland Art Association President Melodie Koher said, “It’s great being downtown, and taking advantage of the foot traffic and working with fellow downtown merchants. We are excited to offer the opportunity for artists to participate and look forward to increasing the number participants in the upcoming Sip N Shops.”

Artists participating include Madelene Bussart, Brenda Stichter, Elizabeth Wamsley and Laura Wildwoods and street musicians include Ben Essick, Chris Collat and Luis Osorio.

Future dates for the monthly Friday night series include Aug. 22, Sept. 12 and Oct. 3. The Oct. 3 event will feature live mannequins in the boutiques as downtown kicks off a new event called Fashion Weekend.

For more details, click here.