For Immediate Release         Media Contact:  Pam Jones or Marjorie Beenders
February 10, 2010                                          Phone: 573-636-8282 « Email: pam@tbmg.net

The Worlds Largest Mardi Gras Pub Crawl Set
For Central Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks

Lake of the Ozarks, Mo. – The 9th annual Lake of the Ozarks Mardi Gras Pub Crawl, 4:00 p.m. – 1:30 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 13, is not only expected to be the largest ever held at the Lake—it’s also likely to be the largest in the world.  “According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the largest pub crawl had 2,800 participants.  Last year, we sold 4,811 wristbands for the Lake of the Ozarks Mardi Gras Pub Crawl, and this year we’re hoping to attract 6,000 people,” says co-chairperson Jeff Carroll, owner of Pickled Pete’s Restaurant and Sports Bar, one of the event’s 17 stops.  “So even though our pub crawl isn’t certified by Guinness, it’s got to be the world’s largest.”

During the Pub Crawl, visitors will safely ride 18 busses to 17 participating bars and restaurants.  Two smaller shuttle busses also will transport “crawlers” from participating lodging properties, starting at 3:00 p.m. 

Throughout the evening, buses will make a continuous loop along Highway 54 and Business Highway 54, stopping at each venue.  Restaurant stops will offer great food from Ozarks barbecue to Chicago-style pizza, prime rib and seafood to Mexican favorites and more.  St. Louis’ premier party band, Contagious, will perform at Li’l Rizzo’s, and other bars will offer live rock, blues and country music, as well as DJ’s and karaoke.  Visitors will be able to collect plenty of Mardi Gras beads and souvenirs along the way.

Wristbands, which allow wearers to board the busses, will cost $5.00 and are available now at participating bars and restaurants.  Participants must be 21 years old to purchase wristbands.  However, Carroll notes, “Even if you are wearing a wristband, you’ll still have to show your ID at Pub Crawl bars and restaurants.”  He adds, on Pub Crawl evening, you must wear a wristband to be allowed in to certain participating establishments. Collectible Pub Crawl t-shirts will be available for $20.  “A lot of people wear these and check off the places they’ve visited, which are listed on the back of the shirt,” Carroll says.  Proceeds from the event will be donated to a local charity.

To assure everyone has a fun and safe experience, a security guard will be aboard every bus. “Participating bars and restaurants will have extra security for the night and a fire marshal at the door to make sure they don’t exceed the legal capacity,” Carroll says.

He adds, “With the help of the local police and Liquor Control plus area lodging properties, we work hard to make sure the Pub Crawl is a success for everyone involved.  Plus it’s a great value,” Carroll notes. “For just $5 you’ve paid the cover charge to 17 bars and restaurants, and you can let someone else do the driving.”

Participating lodging properties will offer special rates for Pub Crawl weekend.  “Many people make it a weekend at the Lake and enjoy the area’s dining, entertainment, shopping, lodging deals and the serene beauty of the Lake in winter,” Carroll says. For a list of lodging facilities offering Pub Crawl discounts, as well as details about the 2010 Mardi Gras Pub Crawl, please visit www.lakepubcrawl.com.

And for complete information about Lake-area lodging, as well as dining, shopping, attractions, activities and events, please call the Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitor Bureau at 1-800-FUN-LAKE or visit www.funlake.com.