June 22, 2008 -- The St. Croix Animal Welfare Center knows how to draw a crowd.
Find a nice setting like Protestant Cay Beach. Set up a bar and bring in bartenders known for their antics and have them compete against each other. Top it all off with music from local songster Kurt Schindler and wait for the throngs.
And judging from the crowd on the beach Sunday on Christiansted Harbor, the center did indeed put on another successful V.I. Bartender Olympics.
The volunteers at a table in front of King Christian Hotel selling entry wristbands for the day had run out by 2 p.m. and were selling those left over from the batch made for volunteers.
"We really appreciate the community coming out and showing strong support for the Shelter," said Gretchen Sherrill, communications director for the Shelter.
The 30-some volunteers and sponsors such as Cruzan Rum and Seaborne Airlines were there to raise funds to help the shelter in its care of stray and abandoned animals.
But most of the 500 other people were there to also have fun. Besides watching the bartenders compete, people were taking advantage of the sunny day to play Frisbee, take cool dips in the ocean and just socialize with friends.
"It was a day for a lot of goofy fun," said Jamila Hammad. "You don't take yourself seriously at this event."
Competition went on all day, and attendees even got a chance to judge and be served by competitors.
There was a wacky obstacle course competition where bartenders were put through a series of obstacles and tested on speed, agility and balance. Bartenders were called on to mix up their spiciest Bloody Mary using Miss Anna's Hot Sauce and Absolut Peppar vodka.
A working bar competition had bartenders and servers successfully serving three tables with four people at each table. They were judged on accuracy, service and quality of drinks.
The bartenders took on a challenge in a pop-top competition to see who could open a dozen beer bottles the quickest.
The specialty drink competition had an extra money-making twist to it as each drink was auctioned off. Connie Gustafson and her friends were among high bidders at $232 for a drink served in a coconut from Breezez.
"We do this for the animals because they can't take care of themselves," said Gustafson.
Chicken Charlie's Roadhouse took first place for bartenders, with second place going to Breezez. First place for servers was Breezez with Full Moon Beach Bar taking second. And the overall winner of the Olympics was Breezes.
Servers and bartenders were from Angry Nates, Bongos, Breezez, Fort Christian Brew Pub, Chicken Charlies, Full Moon Beach Bar, and Parrots Cove.
Local radio personality Rashidi Clenence was the announcer.
Carambola Golf Course, Olympic Car Rental, Duggans Restaurant, Jan Mitchell Studio and Shays Boutique donated raffle prizes. Sponsors for the Olympics were Premier Wine and Spirits, Isle 95 Radio, Miss Anna's Hot Sauce, Seaborne Airlines, Grass Hut Design, Cruzan Rum and more.
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