Carri Sailor, owner of Rookies Sports Bar and Grill, has a vision for St. Patrick’s Day in Iola.
She dreams of a downtown square filled with festivities. Businesses and organizations working together. Maybe a parade.
“I’m trying to start something I want to continue throughout the years,” Sailor said.
To kick off her grand vision, she’ll introduce a Pub Crawl next weekend. It will include five restaurants and bars, all within walking distance of the square and each other, with contests and prizes.
It’s also a fundraiser for the annual Lehigh Music Festival.
SOME DETAILS of the Pub Crawl are still being worked out, but Sailor plans offer contests to teams of four. Each player will compete in a competition at each of the first four stops.The Crawl will spend one hour at each location. The winner at each stop will get a $20 gift certificate.
All teams should pre-register by March 9 calling Rookies at 620-228-5322. Registration is also allowed the day of the event, but Sailor said she hopes teams will pre-register so she can better plan for the event. Depending how many people sign up, she may move some events outside to protect against the possibility of spreading COVID-19.
The cost is $10 per person or $40 per team. Sailor encourages participants to carry cash, in order to speed service. Each location is likely to offer drink specials.
The event kicks off with registration outside of Outsiders Bar and Grill at 1:30 p.m. The contest at this first stop is “Poop the Potato.” Contestants will carry a potato between their legs, travel down a hallway and drop it in a bucket.
The second stop, at 3 p.m., is El Charros, where contestants will “Stack Up Pennies.” They’ll need to be first to stack 25 pennies using only one hand.
Third, at 4:15 p.m., is the Elks, where they’ll play “Stuff It Marshmallows.” Contestants will see who can stuff the most marshmallows in their mouths.
At 5:30 p.m., teams will travel to Time Out Tavern, where they’ll face off in the final contest, “Whipped Cream Worm Search.” They’ll hunt for gummy worms in a pan of whipped cream.
The closing ceremony begins at 6:30 p.m. at Rookies. More prizes will be awarded, for winners of the poker walk, “Best Dressed Team” and “Best Team Name.”
Local musician Damaris Kunkler will perform from 7 to 9.
“I want to start this year and slowly grow it within five years,” Sailor said. “I think we could really make this something fun and get people out of the winter funk. It will give people something to look forward to.”
MIKE JEWELL will serve as emcee of the event. He’s an organizer of the Lehigh Music Festival, and the pub crawl will raise money to bring bands to the annual event on June 11-12.
