UPDATE: Paint the Town Red with the Red Cross

TENDING TO A NEED: Area celebrities will donate their tips from guest bartending shifts during a local Red Cross fundraiser planned for Fat Tuesday. Eddie Foxx, pictured, of 99.9 FM KISS Country was crowned the Mardi Gras King last year for earning the most in gratuities. He and his peers were tipped about $5,000 in total. Photo courtesy of American Red Cross' Asheville-Mountain Area chapter

UPDATE: This article has been edited to reflect the rescheduled event date.

WHAT: A bar crawl to benefit the Asheville Mountain Area Red Cross

WHEN: Tuesday, March 29, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

WHERE: Various downtown establishments

WHY: On Tuesday, March 29, celebrity bartenders will compete for tips at half a dozen local bars, raising money for Asheville Mountain Area Red Cross as they shake, stir and pour. For spectators, the event is much more laid-back.

“[Ticketed] attendees will receive a small bite and sip at each of the venues,” explains Amanda Edwards, executive director of the local Red Cross chapter. “They can pick one or all six to visit. … Many restaurants are creating special drinks and bites.”

Participating businesses and celebrity hosts include Pack’s Tavern (Eddie Foxx of 99.9 FM KISS Country), Scully’s Bar & Grille (Amanda Leatherman and Josh Michael of Star 104.3 FM), Sovereign Remedies (Adrian Vassallo of Dixon Hughes Goodman), Storm Rhum Bar (Blake Butler and Jill Lieberman of Adapt Public Relations), Twisted Laurel (Jason Sandford of Ashvegas) and The Social Lounge (Alan Sheppard of Alan’s Jewelry).

All funds raised will help the local Red Cross chapter “provide community and youth preparedness education, respond to the needs of families and individuals after experiencing a disaster and allow us to partner with fire departments to install smoke alarms in homes,” according to Edwards. Her team responded to more than 45 disasters in January and aims to decrease fire death and injury by 25 percent within five years.

Tips are highly encouraged, not only to raise funds beyond ticket sales, but also because the bartender with the most overflowing jar will be crowned the Mardi Gras King or Queen. The big announcement takes place at Pack’s Tavern at 8 p.m.

For tickets ($40) and event information, visit avl.mx/26o

 

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About Kat McReynolds
Kat studied entrepreneurship and music business at the University of Miami and earned her MBA at Appalachian State University. Follow me @katmAVL

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