SANTA MONICA—The 3rd Annual MAINopoly: Taste of Main Street, presented by Spin Public Relations, is back for 2016. The annual event will be held on Sunday, May 29 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. The annual event which is inspired by the classic board game Monopoly gives attendees a culinary walking tour of Main Street’s restaurants, juiceries, ice cream stores, coffee shops and more.
This year proceeds from the event will go to Main Street Business Improvement Association/Summer SOULstice and Heal the Bay. The funds will help the Business Improvement Association on promoting and marketing its Main Street businesses. Funds also are used for Summer SOULstice which is a free festival that features performances by local musicians on five stages on Main St. from Pier Avenue to Strand Avenue. Several businesses will be selling items during the music festival as well. Heal the Bay is a non-profit environmental organization that helps keep the coastal waters and watersheds of Greater Los Angeles safe, healthy and clean.
The interactive tour will run along Main Street between Pier Avenue and Bay Street. Attendees will receive “MAINopoly dollars,” which can be exchanged for food tastings at several different restaurants. Some of the restaurants participating are Enterprise Fish Company, Manchego, A Real Treat Candy Boutique, Areal, Ashland Hill, and more.
The event starts at the restaurant Areal. Attendees have to check in there and receive their board. Areal is located at 2820 Main Street. Advance general tickets cost $27.37 and are on sale now. Regular admission tickets will be $32.64 for the day-of the event. General admission tickets gives participants 20 tastings at participating locations along with drink specials such as Happy Hour.
Advance VIP tickets cost $43.19 and are on sale now. Regular day-of VIP tickets cost $53.74. VIP ticket holders gain entry to the VIP lounge as well as the food tastings. The VIP lounge features a beer garden sponsored by Shock Top with hosted beer and food. Event goers need to be 21 and over to attend. Kids ages 5-12 can attend as well. Kid tickets will cost $16.82 and are on sale now. There are also group tickets available to purchase. Any children under five years of age are free to attend.
There will be an after party at Areal restaurant starting at 8 p.m. At the after party there will be a giveaway for the chance to win a “Taste of Main Street Prize Package,” with gift certificates. To be entered attendees have to attend and get stamps from all the restaurants.
It is recommended to come in Monopoly inspired costumes or clothes, but it is not required. Transportation is being provided by Santa Monica Free Ride to get event goers to the various restaurants. The organization is also holding an Instagram contest. To participate, follow at @MainStreetSM and post your photo from the event using the hashtag #MAINOPOLY2016 to be eligible to win. The event will go on rain or shine. There are no refunds for those who don’t attend.
For more information about MAINopoly 2016 visit http://www.mainstreetsm.com/mainopoly/. Tickets can be purchased here https://www.eventbrite.com/e/3rd-annual-mainopoly-taste-of-main-street-tickets-21278714207?aff=erelexpmlt.
To learn more about Heal the Bay, one of the benefitting organizations, you can go to http://www.healthebay.org/. For more information on the Summer SOULstice you can go to http://www.mainstreetsm.com/mainopoly/summer-soulstice/.
