by Debbi | Feb 6, 2009 | Newsworthy, St. Patrick's Day
I saw this article online the other day. The economy is apparently so bad that many towns are scaling back, or worse, eliminating their parades!
I think we would cry if Lawrence ever decided not to have the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade. It has become the defining event of every spring for us. We spend countless hours brainstorming ideas, building, painting, and dancing in preparation for the couple of hours that we actually stand on the trailer and ride down the street.
Once again, we have a fantastic theme, great songs, and costumes in mind. And of course, it's not the original idea we planned last fall- we always change our mind after the new year. We're excited to start building and planning our dance.
One of my co-workers was unaware of our grand displays every year. She came back to my desk the other day and asked, "So, does The Sandbar have really good floats in the parade or something?" I think I probably gave her a "where have you been" kind of look without meaning to.
Apparently, her son's Boy Scout troop is planning their float, and they must have been throwing out some outlandish ideas because the troop leader said "It's not like we have to compete with The Sandbar!"
Other groups might have bigger or better floats than ours, but nobody has more fun!
by Debbi | Jan 22, 2009 | St. Patrick's Day
St. Patrick's Day is only two months away, people. That means it's time for all the annual fundraising events to start. Here's the first one we've been told about, and it's new this year.
Join the St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee at a Casino Night and Mexican Buffet next Saturday, January 24. The event is from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Eagles Lodge, located at 1803 W. 6th Street.
The Mexican buffet is open from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. For $10.00 you can enjoy the buffet and receive 125 casino chips; or, if you don't want to participate in the casino night (and why wouldn't you?!) the price is adjusted to $8.00 for the buffet.
The casino opens at 7 p.m. Chips are $5.00 per 100, and they're valued at a buck each. Of course there are valuable prizes for the winners! If you've ever participated in a St. Patrick's Day event, you know the prizes are good- lots of autographed sports items among other things.
So if you don't have plans for Saturday, bring your friends and come on out to the Eagles Lodge!
by Debbi | Sep 18, 2008 | Guest Blogs, St. Patrick's Day
Yesterday was the halfway point to The Sandbar's favorite holiday of the year, St. Patrick's Day. In honor of this occasion, Phil and Heather are hosting an Irish bash at The Sandbar tomorrow from 5-9.
Here is Phil's open invitation to all, written in his best Irish speak.
Top O'the Mornin', Noon 'er Night to ya’s ….
'Tis the season for 'The Wearin' O' the Green' once again !!!
This beloved Wednesday, yesterday, was the very quintessential September 17th …. which so happens to be 'The Half Way' point, to the very auspicious day of Glorified Celebration indeed …. St. Paddy's Day!!! I will be urging ya to celebrate this momentous day at your local pub! And if you find yourself in our quaint village then I’ll be asking ya to pay heed to this announcement……
In honor of surviving till halftime, Miss Heather O’Bunker and The Phil McBradley will be throwin' down a ShamRockin' Party and a Celebration at Ye Olde Sandbar, that ya's won't wanna be missin' now. There will be lots of Guinness specials, while all pints of Bud Light and Miller Lite are only $3.00 each and the very Irish Dirty Banana Shots are a mere $2.00 …. and The Blarney is FREE all day long.
Kickin' the evening all off, with grand cuisine from the emerald isle, complementary o’ Hot Wings (while they last) …. and then Kickin’ it up a notch more, with the most honorable Dave and the evening lads and lasses. This will surely be an Arse Kickin’ good time for Families, Friends and All to enjoy the night away.
Come on down to The Sandbar tomorrow to celebrate a half-holiday! And don't forget, September 19 is always International Talk Like A Pirate Day. So while you're wearing the green and drinking your Guinness, don't forget to say "ARRRR!"
by Debbi | Mar 19, 2008 | St. Patrick's Day
Now that we’re all dried out from the rain on St. Patrick’s Day…
The Sandbar float crew gathered at Dave’s house for a breakfast of Pizza Shuttle, cinnamon rolls, and some awesome little sausage-cheesy-biscuit things. We got the last minute shirts finished, practiced the dances, and set up the borrowed sound system. Andy, our driver, had to go to Baldwin early in the morning to get the tractor.
Around noon the float pulled out of the alley. We were all soaking wet by the time we got the end of the alley and turned onto 13th Street. But, all of our dancers were good sports and performed as if they weren’t being pelted by rain. The wood trailer was a little slippery and we’re glad that no one fell down.
The crowd on Massachusetts Street was definitely smaller than normal- usually the sidewalks are packed full of people from 11th all the way to 7th Street; the crowd was pretty sparse this year. North Lawrence usually has a pretty good number of folks lining the streets, too, but they mostly stayed in their houses this year.
By the time we got to the Flamingo Club, we were all shivering and soaked to the bone and pretty much miserable. After the awards ceremony the float takes everyone back to the bar; this year, most of the riders opted to go back to our house first to dry off and change.
Dave and Andy had to drive the tractor back to Baldwin, because someone had just bought it and was planning to pick it up the next day. Since the tractor’s top speed is 27 mph, it took them a considerable amount of time to get there and back.
The bar itself wasn’t nearly as full as it usually is on St. Patrick’s Day either, but that’s not a bad thing. The $5 cover charge helped keep out the drunken riff-raff (as Dave likes to call them). It was a fun crowd all evening.
More pictures of the day are in the St. Patrick’s Day album and I’ll have video footage soon.
by Debbi | Mar 18, 2008 | Newsworthy, St. Patrick's Day
The things we endure for the public good. Brother Pants said it best.
The five minute long rumble of thunder that woke many of us up yesterday morning might have been a sign of the St. Patrick’s Day to come. The rain started early, came down steady, and didn’t end until long after the Sandbarn was a distant memory.
We’re still drying out our cameras- and ourselves- and trying to ward off colds and pneumonia, but pictures and video of the big day will be available soon.
The Sandbarn won an Honorable Mention from the parade judges. A complete list of winners in all categories is here. (One of our cowgirls got a quote in the article, too!)
And the LJW printed not one, but two great photos of our traveling dance party.
by Debbi | Mar 17, 2008 | St. Patrick's Day
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Here’s hoping that the rain will go away in time for the parade.
Check the LJW or the official Lawrence St. Patrick’s Day website for information on delays to the start time.
