Sweepstakes Social kicks off Pub Mania, aiming to raise $401K for Children's Fund

WEIRS BEACH — The annual Sweepstakes Social to support the Greater Lakes Region Children’s Fund will be aboard the docked M/S Mount Washington from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday night. The event kicks off the 18th year of Pub Mania, a barstool team fundraising challenge hosted by Patrick’s Pub & Eatery in Gilford.

Since its start in 2009, Pub Mania has raised over $4.3 million for the Greater Lakes Region Children’s Fund.

Allan Beetle, co-owner of Patrick’s, said the Sweepstakes Social is when fundraising efforts really start to ramp up for the fall.

Jennifer Kelley, executive director of the Greater Lakes Region Children’s Fund, said there will be $15,000 in cash prizes, and $15,000 Pub Mania team matches at the event. Attendees can win a grand prize of up to $5,000, with smaller prizes for places all the way down to 10.

“The fun part of that event is that if, let's say, you bought a ticket to the event, and you won $1,000 to put in your pocket. The team that you're supporting wins a matching amount of $1,000,” Beetle said.

Tickets to the Sweepstakes Social include one sweepstakes entry, admission for two people, and light appetizers. Only 300 tickets are sold for the event, giving attendees a real chance to win. There is also a cash bar.

Throughout the fall, fundraising team members will gather at Patrick’s at 5 p.m. every Wednesday, for weekly giveaways during the Pub Mania Shuffle. Participants can start from Patrick’s for a roughly 2-mile fun walk. Walkers are responsible for a weekly donation fee to participate. Those who complete the shuffle will receive a free beverage ticket for Patrick’s, and entry into the raffle, held at 6 p.m. following the walk, Wednesdays through Oct. 28.

Patrick's hosts the 12-hour Pub Mania celebration Dec. 10, with live music and games, and 30 teams representing local organizations, businesses, and other groups will take turns occupying reserved stools from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., all fundraising for the Children’s Fund.

“I think we're somewhere around $70,000 already in the door, but our goal is, we play a game called plus one, and that was a game that Warren Bailey played with the Children's Auction every year, which means our goal is to to raise a dollar more than last year's total,” Beetle said.

Last year’s Pub Mania raised $401,477, so the goal this year is to raise at least $401,478, to distribute locally to support children in need.

Beetle described Pub Mania as the “world’s greatest barstool challenge.”

Beetle said the idea came to be many years ago, modeled after the Laconia Athletic and Swim Club’s Cycle Mania. “It was during that event that we said, 'Hey, if they can do an event like this on a stationary bicycle, I think we can do it on a bar stool.' And that's where Pub Mania, the concept, was conceived.”

“It is such a community event. People are so excited to come together in support of the kids that really need the help. And we will have a number of nonprofits on the boardwalk,” Kelley said. “We call it the boardwalk of gratitude, where nonprofits come and just give thanks to the Pub Mania teams that have been so generous in helping fund them.”

The Sweepstakes Social Friday, Sept. 18, will kick off many weeks of fundraising ahead for the Pub Mania teams.

“All the money that Pub Mania raises throughout the year, so many teams are fundraising with everything from golf tournaments to baking pies to pool tournaments,” Kelley said. “So many different things, and all of that money funnels into Pub Mania, then it funnels into the Children's Fund.”

Kelley said Pub Mania is a “huge part” of the amount the Greater Lakes Region Children’s Fund receives each year.

“I would share how proud Patrick's is to get to host this, and what a contribution it's been to our lives, to have met so many community leaders who captain these teams, and spend a lot of time and effort putting a team together, and fundraising, and in coming together for what we call the world's greatest bar stool challenge,” Beetle said. “So, it's really been an honor, and we hope to continue this for many more years. And it's something we want to keep the fun in.”

For tickets, visit childrensfundnh.org.