Oakland Uncorked, billed as Oakland County's premier tasting event, returns to the Oakland County Farmers Market at 2350 Pontiac Lake Road in Waterford on Tuesday, Sept. 9, running from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. More than 15 restaurants are scheduled to pour and plate for the crowd, alongside wine from around the world, local craft beers, handcrafted cocktails and creative mocktails. Guests must be 21 or older to attend.
The tasting soiree is a tri-party production, organized jointly by the Waterford Area Chamber of Commerce, Oakland County Parks and the Oakland County Farmers Market, according to Oakland County. As reported by the Michigan Chronicle, whose Biba Adams covered the event lineup, restaurants slated to appear include Hosel Rockets Golf & Whiskey Lounge, Mojave Cantina, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Park 600 and Peppermint Village, plus CJ's Brewing Company, Fogo de Chão, Fresh Mexican Grill, Greek Jalapeno and Green Lantern Pizza. Plaza Garibaldi, Red Wood Grill, Square One Eats & Treats, Via Bologna and Village Place round out the roster.
Ticket Prices Ticked Up With September
General admission for Oakland Uncorked was priced at $75 per person for early birds through Aug. 31, but the cost rose to $85 per person once the calendar flipped to September, according to a Waterford Township Facebook post. Designated driver tickets remain $60 per person, per the same Michigan Chronicle report. Tickets are available through waterfordchamber.org.
Frankly Good Music will provide live music during the event, and the evening also includes a silent auction alongside local artisan displays. Christine Masch said Oakland Uncorked has been a signature chamber event for more than a decade, while Brad Wethy said the farmers market is the perfect place to bring people together to enjoy food, drinks and local artisans, the Michigan Chronicle reported.
A Market With Deep Roots and a Bigger Mission
The Oakland County Farmers Market itself carries decades of history in Waterford Township. Originally established in 1922, the market moved to its current Pontiac Lake Road site in 1953, according to Local Harvest, meaning the location has anchored the community for more than 70 years. During its main May-to-October season, the market operates year-round with 90 stalls and regularly hosts more than 100 farmers and artisans representing 17 Michigan counties, per Oakland County's own account.
Beyond hosting tasting events like this one, the market functions as a regional food-assistance hub. It accepts SNAP/EBT, Double Up Food Bucks and Senior WIC coupons, and hosts bi-weekly Gleaners Mobile Pantry distributions, according to Lemontree. Oakland Uncorked has historically directed its proceeds toward local nonprofits as well, including Clarkston SCAMP, a five-week summer day camp for youth and young adults with special needs, as reported by Clarkston News.
The Organizations Behind the Glass
Oakland County Parks, one of the event's co-hosts, manages 19 park properties covering 7,632 acres and nearly 100 miles of trails across the county, a footprint the agency highlighted as it marked its 60th anniversary in 2026. The Waterford Area Chamber of Commerce, founded in 1998, serves as the principal regional business association representing nearly 600 local member businesses and organizations across Waterford Township and surrounding western Oakland County communities, according to the chamber's own materials.
Sponsors backing the evening include Action Water Sports as market sponsor; A World of Glass, Go To Gatherings and Farm Bureau Insurance – The Milner Agency as artisan sponsors; and Changing Places Moving, VIBE Credit Union and Security Credit Union as tasting sponsors, per the Michigan Chronicle's reporting on the lineup.
A Slice of Michigan's Growing Craft Beverage Scene
The tasting arrives against the backdrop of a craft beverage industry that has become a significant piece of Michigan's economy. A study commissioned by the Michigan Craft Beverage Council found that the state's wineries, breweries, cideries and distilleries generate nearly $4 billion in economic activity and support 5,750 full-time jobs statewide, according to Farm Progress. Michigan ranks among the top ten states nationwide for craft beverage producers, the outlet reported.
Oakland Uncorked also kicks off a busy September for the chamber's community calendar. The Waterford Regional Fire Department's Longest Breakfast Table follows on Sept. 12, and a Women Rock 365 networking event is set for Sept. 15, according to the Waterford Area Chamber of Commerce.
