What started as a social opportunity for a group of 35 Ferndale residents has now become a social event for over 1,000 people, and not just from Ferndale but from surrounding cities and even around the world.
“We have had people from England, (and) Germany, all over,” said Ferndale Pub Crawl co-chair Monica Mills.
Ferndale Pub Crawl is in its fiftheenth year and takes place on July 29. This year it will be sponsored by 42 Below Vodka.
Bringing business and exposure to the diverse selection of bars offered in downtown Ferndale, this event is one of the most anticipated nights of the year for many of the licensed food and spirits vendors of downtown ... not to mention pub crawl attendees.
"It is a very busy night (for ) and I would imagine a very busy night for Ferndale," said Dean Bach, owner of Dino's Lounge. "We always have some sort of fun special for the crawl."
Crawl creator and County Commissioner Craig Covey said to be prepared for lots of safe fun, just like in year's past.
“The cool thing about this event is that people flock to this event,” said Covey.
The pub crawl was started 15 years ago, back when Ferndale only had six bars. Although Covey admits there was not many places to go in Ferndale at that time, it was the social aspect of the event that helped gather a following.
“We had so much fun we decided to do it next year and it doubled,” said Covey. "The fun is trully people based."
"There was one year that we ran out of (pub crawl) badges and we just began writing them down on napkins for people to have to follow us," said pub crawl co-chair Mills, who joined the event in its fourth year.
Since its founding, the pub crawl began to be tailored to not only benefit businesses but also local charities. Funds raised this year will go to benefit the Ferndale Police Auxiliary, , FernCare Free Clinic, and Ferndale Community Foundation.
"The most we have raised was about $21,000," said Covey. A figure he hopes to surpass this year regardless of being down a sponsor. A fact he blames on the economy.
“Last year we had a liquor and beer sponsor. This year we lost the beer sponsor,” said Covey. “So we are very appreciative that (42 Below Vodka) have came on as presenting sponsor.”
After 15 years in the pub crawl business, Covey jokes that he's a "pub crawl consultant."
“Royal Oak asked us to come over and help show them how we
do a pub crawl," said Covey. "And they have been doing it ever since."
The city of Hazel Park will also be holding their first pub crawl this year on Aug. 26 after a little help from Covey.
In any event, on July 29, when you go on Ferndale's Pub Crawl, remember there is not only 15 years of drinking but 15 years of giving.
For more information on the Ferndale Pub Crawl visit www.ferndalepubcrawl.org.
Venues included in the 15th annual Ferndale Pub Crawl route this year are as follows:
- Boogie Fever
- Bosco
- Buffalo Wild Wings
- Cantina Diablo's
- Como's
- Danny's
- Dino's Lounge
- Emory
- Ferndale Elks Club
- Grasshopper
- Howe's Bayou
- New Way Bar
- Rosie O' Gradys
- Sakana
- Sneakers
- SOHO
- Valentine Distillery
- WAB
