Ale in Autumn brings 750 to Medina downtown to sip brews, hang out with friends

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Kim Hare of Medina, Jen Durhan of Basom, Emily Schoolcraft and her mom Allison Schoolcraft of Medina ham it up with Betsy Fox, front, after registering and picking up their glasses for Ale in Autumn on Saturday.

MEDINA – A few clouds and an occasional drop of rain couldn’t dampen the spirits of the 750 visitors who participated in Ale in Autumn on Saturday.

As is traditional, registration times were staggered at 1, 2 and 3 o’clock to prevent crowding in the stores. Twenty-two shops and organizations downtown took park in the event, including the American Legion, Medina Historical Society, Canal Village Farmers Market, Medina Railroad Museum, Walsh House and Canalside Tattoo in their new location on West Avenue.

Guests met at Medina Senior Center to show proof of age, pick up their glass, receive a free bag of goodies and purchase tickets for the raffle baskets in each store.

Each business poured a different ale or cider, and no one appeared get a taste they didn’t like.

(Left) Lindsay and Rick Siejak of Lockport came out in fashion for Medina Area Partnership’s annual Ale in Autumn Saturday. They bought the lederhosen and traditional German dress while visiting Munich with her parents this summer. (Right) Adrianna Noone of Rochester was one of the buskers entertaining on the streets of Medina during Ale in Autumn Saturday. She is across the street from Key Bank.

At the English Rose Tea Shoppe, Graham Huwyler and Kim Houston sampled Black Widow Cider, a mix of blackberry and apple. It was very good, Houston said. They also liked the flavored teas store owner Cindy Robinson had available.

Nick Boyle said he and his friends started the day before they left home by toasting to all their old friends and the new ones they would meet.

“This event is a great way to see our old friends and meet new people, too,” he said. “We also enjoy the shops.”

Four friends who work at the Roy-Hart Learning Center in Gasport met a former employee at Medina Senior Center on Saturday to enjoy Ale in Autumn. From left are Shatel Peters, Colleen Sandolfini, Robin Boyle, Tina Dunham and Jennifer Dunham.

Rick and Lindsay Siejak of Lockport turned heads when they showed up in traditional lederhosen and dress, which they purchased in Munich this summer when they took her parents to Germany. They met their best friends from Medina, Matt and Lauren Backlas, to do Ale in Autumn.

“We love walking around Main Street in Medina,” Lindsay said. “It is wonderful so many businesses participate.”

Robinson doesn’t remember how long ago they started Ale in Autumn.

“We got the idea for Wine About Winter in February and were looking for a fall event,” she said. “It was Kelly Kiebala who came up with the idea.”

The event has grown in popularity and been a continuous sellout.

Glasses for the event were sponsored by Walsh House, C&H PC and Bogan and Tuttle Funeral Home.

Upcoming events sponsored by Medina Area Partnership include Beggar’s Night on Oct. 25, Moonlight Madness on Nov. 21, Old Tyme Christmas and Parade of Lights on Nov. 30 and holiday open houses Dec.  5 and 8.

The popular Wine About Winter is scheduled for Feb. 1, following the same format as Ale in Autumn.

(Left) Patty Balcerzak pours Black Widow cider for Alyssa Hancock of Webster at The English Rose Tea Shoppe during Ale in Autumn Saturday. (Right) Virginia Klotzbach, left, and Chris Parone poured ale for guests at the Butts-Clark American Legion. Here, they pour Mary Guzik, center, a glass of Young Lion from a brewery in Walworth.