The 12th annual Wine, Chowder & Glass Float Trail will be put on by the Florence Chamber of Commerce on President's Day weekend, February 17 - 19, the Chamber announced in a press release.

The Chamber’s Wine Trail is Saturday, February 18, from noon to 5:00 p.m. Participants can preorder at WineAndChowderTrail.com or pick up a commemorative wine glass for $5 and tasting tickets for $1 each at Gazebo Park at the corner of Bay St. and Laurel St. in Historic Old Town Florence.

Participants can then stroll scenic Old Town to sample wines from a dozen different Oregon wineries or distilleries (21 and over only).

The Chamber’s Chowder Trail is Sunday, February 19, from noon to 3:00 p.m. Passports and maps (with chowder ballot) for the chowder and glass float trails will be available for $5 at the Chamber’s visitor center on Friday, February 17, and the Chamber’s welcome table at Gazebo Park (corner of Laurel and Bay Streets in Old Town) on Saturday and Sunday.

Beginning Friday and continuing throughout the weekend visitors can venture around town in search of more than 30 hand-blown glass floats, hidden in plain sight, produced by local artisans. Entrants can tell the store’s clerk where they spotted a float and have their passport validated and receive an entry coupon that must be filled out and turned in by 3:15 p.m. at the Chamber’s welcome table at Gazebo Park Sunday for the 3:30 p.m. The more floats a person finds, the better the chance of taking one home. Participants must be present to win.

In addition, the Florence Regional Arts Alliance (FRAA) will conduct their annual Taste of Art and Wine event February 18 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday, February 19 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Florence Events Center 715 Quince St.

The Three Rivers Casino Resort free shuttle will transport attendees between Old Town’s Gazebo Park on Bay St., the Florence Events Center, and the casino. The circuit is expected to complete hourly.

“February in Florence is a deliciously thrilling time,” says Florence Area Chamber of Commerce president/CEO Bettina Hannigan. “With the unique flavor palate of Oregon’s finest wines and chowders added to all the fun activities and some of the year’s best sunsets, there’s color, texture, and a unique seasonality in the air. You can see why we call this place Oregon’s Coastal Playground.”

For more information on the Florence Wine & Chowder Trail weekend and Great Glass Float Giveaway, call the Florence Area Chamber of Commerce at 541-997-3128 or visit WineAndChowderTrail.com.