Every year, we create a new photo slideshow. The show runs on our TVs in the bar, and we usually play it at the annual block party. We ask our loyal friends and family to send us pictures, because let’s face it: our own photos often have the same people in them over and over and over. And while we know you all love Dave, well, sometimes it’s nice to know that other people actually visit the bar, too!
So, here’s this year’s slideshow. Thanks to all the Sandbar friends who emailed photos to us. Many of these are pictures from the past year; however, you’ll probably recognize some of these photos from years past. And some of them are from MANY years past. Thanks, Michelle, for the walk down memory lane.
And that very first picture you see below? There’s a great story there, but it’s not one we can tell on the internet. Maybe in another few years…
Patrick, Peach's brother and video camera operator extraordinaire, filmed loads of video at our 21st birthday block party last August. He recently edited and uploaded some of the video to YouTube, and we were excited to see it for the first time!
You can see some of Stomper's set here, and Katlyn Conroy and the Wild and Woolly are captured on video here. Katlyn is Patrick's daughter.
Everyone loves Captain Jack Sparrow, and we love bringing him back every year. He helped us welcome the huge crowd. The last half of the video below are random shots Patrick filmed, some from the roof of the bar.
Peach, Dave and the Sandbar dancing girls took the stage to perform the perennial Sandbar favorite, "Car Wash," and the Sandbar song. I'm sure we all have funny looks on our faces- the stage lights were blinding us, so we couldn't see anything in front of the stage. Last year, we could actually see the crowd and people's faces; this year was a little more awkward.
The fifth video Patrick uploaded is a three minute film of the headlining band, Mark Valentine and the Ones. you can check it out here.
All of the staff is accounted for, and we think everyone has finally recovered from Saturday's big bash. We had so much fun at our 21st birthday party, thanks to everyone who celebrated with us!
The blistering sun and heat had us worried for awhile on Saturday. Last year, we barely had the beer garden fenced off before it was full of people; this year, the garden was three times bigger and we were standing around waiting for the crowd to arrive. As soon as the sun hid behind a wall of clouds, a swarm of people showed up.
The music started around 5:30 with Magentlemen and Stomper, two bands made up of our neighbors from next door at Richard's Music Company. We especially loved the lead singer dressed as a cruise director- even more so when he made a reference to the "cougars."
Peach's niece Katlyn Conroy followed them and wowed the crowd with her voice. We mostly remember her from our Love Shack float back in 2003- she was on the float with us that year at a very young age.
The Sandbar float dancers performed the two most popular Sandbar dancing songs- Car Wash and the Sandbar Song- after Peach welcomed everybody to the party. A young lady was overheard earlier asking Peach how she could get to be a Sandbar dancer. Peach told her she had to be a regular at the bar and dance and work on the float; Bridget chimed in with the most important criteria- must use power tools.
Mark Valentine and the Number Ones closed out the night with several hours of everyone's favorite cover tunes. It was a busy night in the beer garden and inside the bar.
Big thanks to our friend Jeff who took pictures at the event for us. Here's a few of our favorites.
Some of our friends came dressed as pirates. Except for Bill, who likes to dress up as Elvis no matter what the party is. Dave even got to take time out during the night to have some fun instead of working all night.
A big thank you to our friend Larry, from Standard Beverage, who served as an unofficial emcee between sets and entertained the crowd with silly jokes, trivia questions and lots of promotional giveaways.
Everyone's favorite party guests Captain Jack Sparrow and Barbossa made an appearance again this year. All the kids (and the ladies) wanted their pictures taken with the pirates.
After the Sandbar dances, Peach called doorboy/bartender Andrew and Dave's little sister Stephanie to the stage- they both celebrate their 21st birthday this year, too. Coleen made shark attack themed cupcakes and they each blew out candles while the entire block sang happy birthday to them.
More stories & pictures to follow. And we'll have some random winners from submitted pictures and tweets to announce soon.
We hope you’re planning to join us today for our 21st birthday block party. Even if you can’t make it, you can still see what people are saying about the party on Twitter- in real time- by checking out the TweetGrid below.
Excited for the block party tomorrow? We are! Here's a list of random party tips for you.
1. Bring cash. The beer garden is cash only and we're not running tabs out there. You can run tabs or use credit cards inside, but it'll be harder to get a drink inside.
2. There will be food. Sandbar Subs will have sandwiches and BBQ brisket for sale. Other downtown businesses might have stuff available too.
3. Dress comfortably. You'll be standing, walking or dancing all night. Don't wear heels, your feet will hate you. And it might be hot.
4. Drink specials. $4 cans of Bud, Bud Light, Corona and Red Stripe.
5. Tropical Drinks. This year we'll have Bahama Mamas and Shark Attacks in the beer garden for $5 (same price inside). They'll be in a special hibiscus print plastic cup that you get to keep, along with beads. Those are your toys, we aren't doing any other toys (including sharks) to keep things moving. We'll squirt the shark blood.
6. Recycling. We'll have a couple of bins outside for cans only. Please don't put trash in them. And please put your cans in the right bin. We're not sorting through trash but we'd like to donate as many cans as possible.
7. Music. Three bands, music starts shortly after 5. The Sandbar's dancers will perform at 8.
8. Cover Charge. It's $5 to get into the beer garden and you must be 21. You'll get a wristband that allows you to come & go without paying another cover charge.
9. Pictures. We love pictures! And video! Shoot your own and send it to us. Here's a list of what you can do, and you might even win a prize. Special thanks to Jeff, who has agreed to be our Sandbar photographer.
10. Family-friendly. Even though we're a bar, this is a family-friendly event. And it's free, unless you want to go in the beer garden. So bring your kids and grandparents and come out for some family fun.
11. Support our neighbors. We have the best neighbors in downtown Lawrence. Every single one of them is supportive of this event, so please show them some love. Support them like you support us. And if you can't get to our bar fast enough, head over to one of our neighbors to enjoy food or drink.
I think those are the high points. Check back later today for our 21st birthday shot book, courtesy of Katie. We look forward to seeing you tomorrow night!
