Shoppers from across southwest Sask. flooded into the Stockade Friday night to enjoy an evening of food, drinks, live entertainment, and local products on offer.

The Step into Spring Sip & Shop Tradeshow open to adults and hosted by the Swift Current Ag & Ex brought in over 45 vendors that nearly 650 shoppers were able to peruse from.

Lanette Thoreson, a realtor with Re/Max, one of the event's major sponsors, was thrilled about the partnership at the event.

"I think this is a great event to be involved in," she said. "Lots of people don't realize that this is a non-profit organization, and we just want to help them raise some more money and thrive for our community in Swift Current."

Nearly a quarter of the vendors offered up alcoholic beverages that could be sampled by shoppers including Maple Creek's Rafter R Brewing Company.

"(We had) our Blonde Ale, which is our day-to-day workhorse and one of our flagship beers (here)," Ryan Moncrieff, owner of Rafter R Brewing Company, said.

Aside from the sipping and food aspect, vendors with home improvement products, jewelry, wedding bookings, and appeal, and more were present.

Live music was provided by: Laureen Kress with SouthWind, Maria Lewans, Denise Wall, Jess Rouleau with her husband Dustin Olmsted, and Eliza Mary Doyle.  

"We're really excited to see it happening with all these local performers coming out and be on stage," said Interim general manager at the Lyric Theatre, Georgia Graham.