Recap - "The Greatest Spectacle In Drinking"

Well ladies and gentleman the legendary race has concluded.  A hell of a race it was too.  Here is a recap if you missed it.

The pre-race festivities began with the great vocals of Jim Neighbors and "Back Home Again in Indiana."  This was followed by the National Anthem of the US and our ancestors National Anthem of Ireland.  At the conclusion of the anthem it was a beautiful site as the releasing of the whiskey took place as shots were had by all.  It looked just as beautiful as the balloons in the Indy 500.  The competitors then took their place at the starting line of the Alley Cat as the command was given by the honorary Drinking Commissioner, Nancy (mainly because she was the only one around to say it)... "Gentlemen, start your drinking!"

The pace laps then commenced at the Alley Cat with a delicious breakfast of eggs, bacon, sausage, toast and some biscuits and gravy which we thought we cancelled but suddenly reappeared on the track.  Oh and I almost forgot...a nice cold Budweiser in a can.  As the first pace laps were concluded an unexpected pit stop was made at Starbucks (for obvious reasons and a nice hot chocolate...Mike had tea) just before the start of the race to refuel. 

The men then came around the final turn to the starting line again to take the green flag as they came down the frontstretch in the Indy Go bus down College St into the first turn at the Elbow Room.  There was a lot of congestion going into that first turn.  Mainly because the parade was going to start in an hour and a half and everyone wanted to see it.  The lines started to form for the bathroom upstairs at this point.  Although I am happy to say that I as well as Mike and a few others were instrumental in forcing the line to wrap around the other side of the room than in previous years so that we could have an area that wasn't clustered by bathroom dwellers.  As many laps past, and many beers, the race proceeded without any yellow flags to the Union Hall. 

Pit stops were then made at the Union Hall as this was seemingly the half-way point of the race at about 2:00 in the afternoon.  Although these weren't the first pit stops and were definately not the last.  The competitors then came out of the short-shoot to the front stretch again in the Indy Go bus to cross the line for the start of the second half of the evening at The Ace.  Many libations were consumed and fun times were had with good music.  Some of the second half of the race may seem a little fuzzy but not much as it was just good times with a lot of people that you hadn't seen in a while.  The final laps then proceeded around 9:30 at night as the race was completing it's trip back to Nancy's for the victory laps to finish off the night. 

There were a lot of other legendary events that occured throughout the day that you might have missed out on.  There might have even been a random event that happened.  So I say you should SUIT UP and join us again next year as we continue the honored tradition of "The Greatest Spectacle In Drinking."

CALLING ALL SUITS! Suit Up for "The Greatest Spectacle In Drinking"

It's time to SUIT UP!  Wear your green ties and bring your tweed or flat cap.

Yes it's that time of year my friends.  The day where we celebrate our ancestory with green libations.  For those of us that are Irish we celebrate all day long.  For those that aren't...well they still celebrate all day long.  After all, everyone is Irish on St Patrick's Day.  At least that's what their shirts say.  So that being said, come out and enjoy the festivities on Thursday! 

Who doesn't want to start the day out at the Alley Cat for breakfast and a beer at 7:00 am?  Yes that's right I said it!  7 am!  This is how the awesome people start the day off.  Also because there are no other bars that are open in Broad Ripple before 10 am.  Then we take the bus downtown to see the parade while drinking green brews at the Elbow Room.  $1.75.  Best cab ride money can buy.  We don't know where the day takes us from this point but that's the best part.  You make it up as you go.  Of course, we always end up at the Ace.  This is the true Irish bar in America.  No, the Claddagh on the northside does not count.  I've heard people say it before but that is not where real Irish people go for Patty's Day.  If you happen to go to the Claddagh that's fine, but do not try to tell me that's where real Irish people go on St Patty's day.  The Irish enjoy the festivities.  That's why they march all over the town. 

I'm calling out to everyone to suit up on Thursday.  Let's make it a suitfest.  Wear your tan, khaki or even plaid suit.  Bring your green hat!  Green ties!  Flat or tweed caps!  Let's suit up America to celebrate a good cause.  Hopefully you've taken the day off of work.  If you have to work then join us after you leave your office and come in the cloths you are wearing...which should be your suit.  No I don't care if you work in a factory and shovel poo behind an elephant, you should still look good doing it.  It'll also help you pick up the ladies (as if the alcohol wasn't enough). 

If you aren't going to start the day with us at the Alley Cat at 7 am for breakfast and beer, then you can follow our awesome adventures on Twitter.  I created an account just for this celebration.  Even though I'll still use it after Thursday.  Remember...SUIT UP!

By they way, you should still check out my post on ketchup.  It happened again the other day.  You can find it in the archives for February.