Pull on your cowboy boots and dust off that 10 gallon hat because it’s time once again for the Wild West Historic Pub Crawl, a fundraiser for Merrill Historical Society sponsored by Merrill’s West Side tavern owners and Merrill Walks.
The Pub Crawl takes place Saturday, July 11, with registration beginning at 2:30 p.m. in the park by the Cenotaph monument across Prospect Street from Ballyhoos and Johnny T’s. Registration is $20 with all proceeds going to benefit the Merrill Historical Society. Pub crawlers will receive a wristband which entitles them to specials and discounts at the participating taverns and a historical walk through the area provided by Merrill Walks. A special treat this year will be the opportunity to examine Steve Sabatke’s beer token collection which will be on display at Ballyhoos during the event.
“The Pub Crawl runs from 3-8 p.m.,” says Jane Francoeur of Merrill Walks. “You can start the crawl right away at 3 or you can wait until as late as 6 and still be able to take in all the establishments before the prize drawings begin at Ballyhoos at 8. To be eligible for the prize drawing you must turn in a completed Pub Crawl Card as proof you have visited all the participating locations. And, because people seemed to have a great time dressing up for last year’s event, this year we will also be giving a prize for Best Costume.”
Participating establishments that guarantee this will be a thirst-free adventure are Ballyhoos, Humphrey’s Pub, Johnny T’s, and S & S Bar. These taverns, with various owners, have been in the beverage business for over 100 years. They are also all in buildings that are well over 100 years old with many original fixtures still in place. Humphrey’s Pub is featured in “Bottoms Up,” the Wisconsin State Historical Society’s book about unique Wisconsin taverns.
Merrill Walks will tell the story of transportation businesses on the West Side through the lives of West Side businessmen Gus Goetsch, William Johannes, Charles Aronsen, and Harold Lindquist. These men and their businesses span the time from the days of horses and harnesses through early automobiles and into the 1960s.
For further information on the programs and activities of the Merrill Historical Society, or to become a member, please contact the Society at 715-536-5652 or [email protected], or see the website at www.merrillhistory.org.