Artful drinks, fun competition part of ‘Spirits of Christmas’ pub crawl
During the Spirits of Christmas pub crawl in McGregor, participants are entitled to a sample size holiday drink at each establishment—and a vote for favorite drink and best presentation. (Times-Register file photos)
The illuminated winter wonderland includes 40 decorated trees.
By Audrey Posten | Times-Register
The classic carol “Jingle Bells” credits a winter sleigh ride with “making spirits bright” each holiday season. But, sometimes, it’s “spirits” themselves that make Christmastime a little extra festive.
That’s certainly the case for the “Spirits of Christmas,” the annual pub crawl associated with McGregor’s Festival of Trees. Each year, a ticket entitles participants to a sample size holiday drink from each participating establishment—and a vote for favorite drink and the best presentation.
This year’s event will run from 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 6, with stops at Steve’s Silver Dollar, Jade’s River Queen, Pocket City Pub, Backwoods Bar and Grill, Old Man River Restaurant and Brewery, Big Buoys Tiki Bar and the McGregor American Legion.
Bars have been busy concocting their cocktails for months.
“We start right after the last one gets over,” said Backwoods employee Janet Hallberg. “You look through recipes—what looks good, what hasn’t been done before.”
Melanie Prew, owner of Pocket City Pub, said people often send her ideas, and she scours Pinterest.
“You might even go somewhere, even in the summer, and think, ‘Oh, there’s an idea,’” she said.
Several factors are involved when settling on a drink. Not just taste, but presentation—the kind of glass and potential garnishes—and cost effectiveness are considered. One must also factor in how long it will take to make and serve the drinks.
“It’s easier to find something to mix up in bulk, but some you can’t do up ahead of time,” said Hallberg.
For example, Backwoods’s drink a year ago required dishing up ice cream, then adding hot chocolate, candies and pretzels to form a reindeer.
One year, Pocket City made ice cube glasses filled with egg nog, calling it the “Ice, Ice Baby.”
No matter what, “You taste everything before you serve it,” shared Duane Vorwald from Old Man River, who credited wife Diana for their entries. “She’s a true chef.”
Sometimes, you have to be careful who taste tests.
“You don’t want someone to share it with the other bars,” warned Prew.
Hallberg described creating a drink as a continual game of trying to out-do yourself and the other establishments. It’s hard to know how participants’ tastes will run each year.
“It’s all a guessing game, a Christmas puzzle. Then it’s a Christmas miracle when it turns out,” she said.
The night of “Spirits of Christmas” is “fun chaos,” according to the bar representatives. Between 120 and 150 people come through over four hours.
“It’s tiring, but a lot of fun,” said Prew. “People are in the holiday spirit, wearing ugly sweaters, lights and antler headbands.”
“It’s a great time, the camaraderie of people from everywhere,” noted Vorwald. “A lot of fun groups.”
While some people attend “Spirits of Christmas” annually, the event always brings out some strangers to the bars, or McGregor in general.
“It brings in business,” Vorwald said. “It’s a short amount of time to get around, but, outside the VFW, you can walk everywhere. Some groups will come back and spend the rest of the evening.”
One of Hallberg’s favorite parts is the “fun competition” it generates between businesses.
Vorwald said he and Diana are good friends with Steve Funk, owner of Steve’s Silver Dollar, which was the winner for favorite drink a year ago.
“We’ve done a lot of razzing back and forth since he won last year,” Vorwald quipped.
Prew believes competition makes her more creative.
“It brings everyone together in a healthy way,” she said. “Everyone works harder. Competition raises the bar.”
Full slate of holiday activities at Festival of Trees
In addition to the Spirits of Christmas, McGregor’s Festival of Trees includes a full slate of holiday activities across four days, from Wednesday, Dec. 4 to Saturday, Dec. 7.
Back for the third year is the kickoff event, Christmas Trivia. Form your team and head to Old Man River Restaurant and Brewery to compete from 6 to 8 p.m.
Get a preview of the illuminated winter wonderland of 40 decorated Christmas trees at Dessert Among the Trees on Thursday. The night will run from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Backwoods Event Center and feature specialty desserts as well as a choice of beverage and holiday music by Jim and Laurie Klosterboer.
On Friday, the trees—lovingly decorated by local individuals, organizations and businesses—will be on display at the Backwoods Event Center from noon to 8 p.m., with free will admission. Vote for your favorite in two categories: mostly handmade and mostly store bought. Many of the trees will also be available for silent auction.
That evening, Santa’s Combo will share jazzy Christmas tunes.
On Saturday, Dec. 7, view the decorated trees from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voting and silent auction bidding will continue throughout the day, with winners announced at 8 p.m.
Saturday festivities will also feature a morning bake sale and special holiday luncheon by Backwoods Bar and Grill. There will be free children’s crafts, including Christmas cookie decorating, and photos with Santa from 2 to 4 p.m.
The Star Power Dance Team will kick off the slate of entertainment at 1 p.m. that day, and children from the Dr. Smith Center will perform at 4 p.m. Listen to traditional holiday music during the dinner hour, from 5 to 7:30 p.m.
Festival of Trees is co-sponsored by The Left Bank Shop and Gallery and McGregor Historical Museum. Proceeds from the event will be donated to area non-profits.
