STORY AND PHOTOS BY KAREN BOSSICK

Sharon Heitur had a line of folded black umbrellas lined up on the picnic table, along with the wineglasses and dinnerware, as wine and garden enthusiasts began streaming in for the annual Wine, Walk + Art at the Sawtooth Botanical Garden.

After a long dry summer, an assortment of clouds had built up right over the public garden south of Ketchum. And they were jostling one another as they tried to block out the sun, which was also vying for space in the skies above.

Pour it did, but only in fits and starts, with drops from the brief showers sparkling in the sun and adding a freshness and elegance to the garden plants.

Sharon Heitur offers attendees umbrellas as she checks them in.

John and Gina Wolcott and their daughter Dana Cukr managed to keep the drops from diluting the wine in the glasses, thanks to tents posted at each wine stop along the garden path.

“We weren’t going to let a little rain get in the way of a good time,” said Cukr.

Minutes later, they and others were rewarded with a rainbow for their perseverance as they visited six gathering spots at which those in attendance where they could try new wines with paired tapas.

The Sawtooth Botanical Garden’s Wine and Walk had its genesis in the COVID pandemic, envisioned as a way for people to gather in community, enjoy wine and paired appetizers while basking in the late summer bounty of the floral foliage of the Sawtooth Botanical Garden at a safe distance.

Brian Smith and Fayrie Drakoni poured a fine Austrian wine.

People were happy to be out and about and seeing old friends, even if from across the lawn.

A couple years ago, the +Art was added to the title as the garden amassed a dozen fine art pieces sculptures that collectors around the country would love to have. The garden now has 17 sculptures of significance with a couple of those added this summer.

The Beverly Lovers—Aly Wepplo and David Janeski—added to the artful flavor of the evening as they crooned harmonies from the ‘60s.

The Sawtooth Botanical Garden provides the setting for 600 events a year, drawing 20,000 visitors, noted board vice chair Juliet Romano.

John and Gina Wolcott brought their daughter Dana Cukr to the event.

“What would we do? Where would you go if it wasn’t here?” she asked.

Beth Sermersheim took part in the walk with her Boise friend Paddy Yancey.

“I just look for events, and I love events that benefit important things, like this and the Farm to Table Dinner that benefits the Trailing of the Sheep Festival,” she said. “I like that we’re out in nature, outside. And this tonight is fun in spite of the rain, or maybe because of the rain.”

A hazy, wide rainbow showed at times, a reward for those who didn’t let a few rain showers dampen their fun.