It’s the party before the party.  On Wednesday, August 22, at 7:30 p.m., the community is invited to gather on the east side of the downtown Murfreesboro Square at the Courthouse for a free, short celebration to support those who have experienced breast cancer either themselves or in friends or family members. 

At dusk, the courthouse will light up in pink and will remain lighted in pink throughout the weekend.  

Bring the kids to enjoy free shaved ice treats (all flavors in shades of pink), write your loved one’s name on a pink balloon and see the MTMC Foundation’s Power of Pink Wine Around the Square Honoree Betty Hord celebrate the lighting at dusk in honor and memory of those who have experienced breast cancer.

“This is a chance for families to come out, have some free fun, and show their support for breast cancer awareness and prevention,” said McKenna Moore, Chair of the event.  “Every one of us knows someone who has dealt with breast cancer, and it’s so important that we all know the warning signs and also help those without health insurance or adequate health insurance get the screenings they need to remain healthy.”  

The Aug. 22 celebration is a fun preview to the MTMC Foundation’s Power of Pink Wine Around the Square (WATS) inaugural fundraiser Friday, Sept. 21. 

In its very first year, this “progressive” wine tasting and art show will benefit local women’s breast health needs.  Funds raised will be used for mammograms, breast cancer care and education for women in Rutherford County who may be uninsured, underinsured or indigent.  The Courthouse will again be lighted pink Sept. 17 through 21. 

More About Wine Around the Square

Wine Around The Square is a casual, fun, outdoor evening that will begin at 6 p.m. Sept. 22 with live music, appetizers, an art show and wine-tasting venues throughout downtown Murfreesboro around the historic Public Square.  Visit mtmc.org/powerofpink to purchase your tickets, which are $75 each.  The ticket price at the door will be $85 if any tickets remain the day of the event.  Only 800 tickets are available, so purchase soon!

The Sept. 21 event will begin at Pinnacle Financial Partners at 114 West College Street.  Paid guests will check in there, receive a Wine Around the Square etched signature wine glass, enjoy the evening’s first wine tasting, sample passed hors d’oeuvres and receive instructions for the evening.

Local artist and breast cancer survivor Caryl Witt is chairing the art show, which will feature selections from 9 regional artists for viewing in the Pinnacle lobby. Thirty percent of the proceeds of these art sales will benefit the 2012 Power of Pink.

Throughout the evening, guests will taste a variety of different wines in 16 downtown shops, attorneys’ offices and boutiques throughout the central portion of the Square.  Each tasting station will be staffed with volunteers who will describe and pour wine as well as offer a water rinse of the wine glasses before visitors proceed to the next station. Live music will be playing at multiple outdoor venues throughout the evening.

Wine Around the Square will proceed rain or shine.  To ensure a safe ride home, event organizers will alert local cab companies to make cabs available in a central location for those guests who prefer to take a cab home at the end of the evening. 

Event sponsors as of August 14, 2012 include Middle Tennessee Medical Center, Dr. Payne Hardison, Dr. Mark Hardison, Dr. Jeff Warden/Middle Tennessee Oral & Implant Surgery, Leslie and Dr. Mark Akin & Vicki and Dr. Stephen Rich/Mid-State Surgery, MidState Radiology Inc., the Honorable Don Ash and Rita Ash/Bob Parks Realty, Kelly Baum, Sylvia Beckman/Beckman’s Prescription Shop, Bishop Dental Office/ Drs. Melanie and James Bishop, Mrs. Wordna Black, Sherry and Don Carpenter, Bill and Betty Childress, Comprehensive Breast Center of MMC, Anne and Jeff Davis, Linda and Dave Davis, Peter and Kristin Demos, Family Staffing Solutions, Inc., Mr. and Mrs. Gordon B. Ferguson, Emil and Lilly Hassan, Jim and Laura Holland/HG Staffing, First Tennessee Bank, Bob and Ginger Ingle, Jennings and Ayers Funeral Home, Kathy and Bill Jones, Dr. and Mrs. Michael Jordan, Jeri and Bob Lamb/Exit Realty, LaRoche Family Foundation, Sally and William Ledbetter, MidSouth Bank, Joe and Billie Little, Libby Long, MD, Andrea and Ed Loughry, Dr. and Mrs. Fred Lovelace, Paula and Rick Mansfield, John and Patty Marschel, Beverly and Warren McPherson, MidSouth Bank, Bob and Mary Dodd Mifflin, Mr. and Mrs. Edward E. Miller, Jr. Dr. and Mrs. G. Britt Mioton, Charlotte and Newton Molloy, Dr. and Mrs. Michael Moran, Dr. Mary Moss, Murfree & Murfree, PLLC, Attorneys- at- Law, G. Ron and Judy Nichols, Nikken Construction LLC/Nicole and Michael Bird,  Roy and Linda Palmer, Ben and Maggie Parsley,  Ann Nora and Myers Parsons, Peddler Gifts and Interiors, Joe and Judy Powell, Tom Provow/Evergreen Consulting, Dr. Liz Rhea, Carty and Jim Roberts, Kathy and Pat Ryan, Dan and Margaret Scott, Barry and Melanie Shipp, Betsy and Jeff Slaney, Dr. Ellen and Mr. Richard Slicker, Dr. Pat and Margie Spangler, Terri Sterling/Sterling Communications, Janet Stankwytch, Dr. and Mrs. Nick Tarola, The Honorable and Mrs. Royce Taylor, Addiesue Webb, Woodfin Funeral Chapels - Murfreesboro and Smyrna.