The “Sip, Shop, Repeat, Local” event happens on the first Thursday, Sept. 1, in La Grande. It begins at the Union County Chamber of Commerce, where participants purchase a $10 commemorative tumbler.

LA GRANDE — Shops stay open late on the first Thursday of every month for “Sip, Shop, Repeat, Local” — an event organized by the Union County Chamber of Commerce.

“It’s been very successful,” said Scott Newman, chamber director. “We’re getting people to go out.”

The next event is Thursday, Sept. 1. It is the fourth one of this year.

Participants start by purchasing a commemorative tumbler for $10 at the chamber, 207 Depot St., from 4-7 p.m.

“The tumbler becomes your coupon,” Newman said.

The walk runs from 5-8 p.m. and includes at least 25 businesses, plus pop-up vendors who set up in front of the chamber on Depot Street, which is closed for the evening.

Newman said that most of the participating retailers offer specials during the evening.

Local sponsors support each month’s event, and proceeds from the sale of tumblers help fund the Chamber’s family-friendly offerings, such as Celebrate La Grande.

Newman said “Sip, Shop, Local, Repeat” will continue through the end of the year, with a special holiday version on the first Thursday in December.

Then, there will be a hiatus for two or three months before starting up again in the spring of 2023.

Baker City Downtown organizes a wine walk on the third Thursday of each month. This program started in 2018.

A $10 donation gets a commemorative wine glass and map of participating locations. Each month, a portion of the proceeds go to a local organization or nonprofit.

The next walk is Thursday, Sept. 15, 5-8 p.m. Start at Launch Pad Baker, 2019 Main St., to get a glass and map.