McCarty Party 2009: Fantasyfest Midwest

Although McCarty Party has always permitted (some might say “encouraged”) the imbibing of a few good beers, the 2009 edition of our American tradition took things to a new level… even for us. As we brought Key West to Ohio, we also made it possible for our guests to replenish their beverage of choice from no less than eight different locations on the party grounds. Of course, being both charitable and cautious, we also instituted our own version of a sobriety checkpoint… Cowboy Bill’s (AKA “the pavillion on the hill”). We figured anyone who could make it both up the hill and back without serious injury was probably as sober as we could expect! And as things turned out, the only one to come tumbling down was Dale… on the Sunday morning after the party (just God’s way of reminding Dale that he created hangovers for a reason).

Although McCarty Party 28 was (sadly) the 3rd straight year without any lost and lonely strippers showing up at Camp McCarty, it did see the beginning of what we hope will become an integral part of the McCarty Party experience… body painting! We might, however, have to adjust the hours that we schedule the presence of our (professional) body painter. Apparantly, our female guests prefer to have a few drinks (and perhaps a couple of Jello shots) at the party before being decorated with paint. Who knew?

For those of you who have attended our little celebration over the years, you may also have noticed the return of something that was last seen at McCarty Party ’89… tie-dye t-shirts! The ’89 t-shirts were the most popular of all of our party clothing over the years… and still the most likely of our “vintage t-shirts” to be spotted at a current party. Of course, these days you have to win a t-shirt to get a t-shirt… just our way of encouraging you to become a participant rather than remain a spectator (both are equally possible to do while drinking our beer… but we are more likely to mercilessly mock those of you who merely watch)!

And finally, McCarty Party 2009 firmly established Dale’s pub as the location of the now legendary “Underwear Underground” (beginning at the stroke of midnight each year). Thanks to everyone who put on clean undergarments before attending, and for the rest of you… do better next year. So from all of us to all of you, not forgetting the boys in the band, we’d like to say “God bless.” And if you’re out tonite, don’t forget if you’re on your bike… wear white. Evening all.