Heart day opens in Alpine

ALPINE Romantic strolls through a quaint little arts town might be just the way to do Valentine’s Day up right.

Throw in shopping and music and you’ve got Alpine: Heart of the Arts. The event is scheduled Feb. 10 and is meant to celebrate the week of Valentine’s Day, organizers said.

David Busey, vice president of the Alpine Downtown Association, said this is the second year for the event. “Last year’s was a great local success, so this year we are marketing specifically to the Odessa/Midland market as our current visitors are from there and seem to enjoy the area.”

He said Alpine is close by and is certainly a romantic getaway.

He said both Texas Monthly and Texas Highways have recently featured Alpine as a thriving arts colony.

Visitors to the event will find galleries, shops and restaurants located in the walk-able, historic downtown district, which includes the landmark Holland Hotel and the Reata Restaurant.

Busey said a strolling Mariachi group going from gallery to gallery and three indoor musical venues including the highly acclaimed Dallas Jazz guitarist Gerhard Kraus and his trio at the Holland Hotel will be at the event. Other groups include The Swifts, which has an old fashioned country style and also Grupo de la Paz with a combination of popular Spanish selections, romantic ballads and lite-rock.

In 2011, the majority of downtown Alpine was designated a Cultural Arts District by the Texas Commission on the Arts. Since then, new galleries, boutiques, food trailers and more have opened their doors along Holland Avenue and Murphy Street.

Go to visitalpinetx.com for more information.