Mother and daughter Michelle Abbott, left, and Ashley Abbott stopped by the Harmony Museum for a little wine tasting during the Wine Walk in Harmony on Saturday. Harold Aughton/Special to the Eagle

HARMONY — After a two-year hiatus, the Summer Wine Walk returned to Harmony on Saturday evening and was a resounding success.

Six hundred people walked the streets of the borough, stopping at designated businesses to sample wines from around the region.

Tickets were presold for $30. Walkers first registered at Stewart Hall on Mercer Street and were given a wine glass and a map of Harmony that detailed locations serving wine from 5 to 9 p.m.

It was the eighth wine walk held here, but the first since 2019 due to the coronavirus pandemic. All proceeds benefit the Zelienople Area Public Library.

“We normally sell out by May 1,” said Maggie Boylan, director of the library, who was helping to register walkers. “It took us a little longer this year, but we sold out again.”

Kyle Peffer and his girlfriend, Megan Shepker, stopped by the Harmony Museum to taste wine during the Wine Walk on Saturday in Harmony. The walk featured 17 wineries. Harold Aughton/Special to the Eagle

Food vendors were set up along Main Street and a number of bands provided live music throughout the borough.

Peg MacCall, of McCandless Township, and her friend, Margie Brand,t of West Mifflin, attended the last wine walk here three years ago.

“It was a wonderful time,” MacCall said as she and Brandt made their way to the Harmony Museum Shop to sample bottles from Bushy Run Winery in Westmoreland County.

“We may be here until 9,” she added, laughing, “maybe walk up the street and get something to eat.”

Wine also was for sale, and Harmony resident Kyle Peffer, 25, had a plan.

Dale Krysinski, of Harmony, entertains participants of the Wine Walk Saturday evening. Krysinski was joined by his wife, Sue, and the family dog, Sady, as he played a variety of country music along Mercer Street. Harold Aughton/Special to the Eagle.

“I’m going to hit all the spots, try wines at each one, then decide which two I like the best and buy a couple of bottles,” he said. “I prefer dry wines.”

Peffer’s girlfriend, Megan Shepker, also of Harmony, was enjoying her first wine walk. She had already been to six stations.

“I enjoy sweet wines and just tried Lemon Wine and one called Sweet Dreams, it’s raspberry,” she said. “They were both really good, my favorites so far.”

Boylan said the money raised will be spent on operational costs and special projects with the library.

“We’re also looking to add an addition to the library and this would definitely help with that, she said.

“The Zelienople Area Public Library is extremely grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with Harmony Borough and the Harmony Business Association. The Summer Wine Walk benefits all three. We are grateful to the founders of the event — Susie Altemus and Ellen Fleming.”

Peffer took part in two previous wine walks in Harmony as a vendor.

“We sold corn dogs and pretzel bites,” he said. “We stayed open late and I thought it went really well.

“I’m glad this (event) is back,” he added. “It’s good for businesses and I think people were missing that group euphoria. It makes the world a better place.”

For other fundraising events supporting the library, visit www.zelienoplelibrary.org.