(Okoboji)– Battle of the Bartenders has been the big kickoff to Winter Games for the past eleven years and they look to do it all again this year. Jared Ransom, Marketing Coordinator at Parks Marina, says the event just keeps getting bigger…
“Twelve years into it and, you know, more and more bars are jumping in. More and more people seem to walk through the doors each time we have this event. And it’s a really cool kickoff to what is just a phenomenal weekend in the entire area. And we’re just we’re pretty blessed to be a part of such a cool event.”
Battle of the Bartenders has raised a total of $122,771 over its 11 year span and Ransom says that is what matters most…
“It’s one of the things that we continue to be very proud of is that, you know, all the money that’s raised during this event goes directly to a charity that, you know, each of these bars are representing. You know, it’s not a not a big for profit thing. Every money goes to helping, you know, a group or a person or whoever. The bars are directing it towards.”
Ransom says this year will be a little bittersweet knowing they are without their founder, Butch Parks…
“It’s a bit surreal knowing this is going to be the first Winter games without him, but we also know that this is an event that he was very close to and loved every single year that we had it, and we’re kind of carrying that with us as we plan everything and put everything together, knowing that this was a highlight of his year. So yeah, I think that’s an awesome goal, making this the biggest year ever in his honor. And knowing that we’re working toward that is something that we’re really proud of.”
Venmo donations will open the week leading up to Winter Games and remain open until 7pm on Thursday night. You must designate the bar or charity you want your venmo donation to go to otherwise it will go in the general fund. Last year $15,571 was raised for all of the participating bars and their selected charities. Battle of the Bartenders will be held on Thursday night January 22nd starting at 6pm at Parks Marina. You can find more information by going to parksmarina.com
