Taste and judge the best at Wassail Festival on Dec. 5

MADISON – One component – and this one is tasty – of Christmas revelry in downtown Madison will be the fifth annual Wassail Festival.

Retail stores and businesses on Main Street will open their doors to serve samples of wassail. It is hosted by the newly formed Main Street Madison organization.

The tasting will start at 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 5, immediately following the lighting of decorations in the Madison Station Polar Express Christmas on Main. Other activities will start holiday fun on Main, Martin and Church Streets.

The Wassail Festival will feature local merchants’ recipes. Individuals can enjoy FREE samples of the warm, spiced holiday drink.

Visitors can vote for the wassail that they consider has the best taste as merchants vie for bragging rights for the most delicious recipe in town. In addition to the wassail tasting, guests can shop for unique holiday gifts at local downtown stores.

The preparation of wassail starts with a base of apple cider. Then, the preparer can add citrus juices, especially orange and pineapple, to add zest to the drink. Those flavors can be combined with various spices, like nutmeg, anise and cinnamon.

Go to www.mainstreetmadison.org for more information.