sup-town stumble

On 01.03.04, a small group of UMD graduates enjoying a greenie at Tony Jaros’ in Nord East Minneapolis formulated the idea of hosting a bar crawl on Tower Avenue. Primitive plans and action items were scribbled on a cocktail napkin at a table in a dark corner of the bar. This was not the first time the group had discussed the idea, but something was different that night. Perhaps it was because we were celebrating yet another birthday, or that we were drunk and everything is a good idea when you’re drunk. We may never know the exact reason but we do know that the idea became a reality on 04.24.04.

The objective is to have a drink at each bar on the stumble and still be able to function while waiting for your “potato nuggets and cheese.” When it comes down to it, the stumble is just another excuse for everyone to return to the streets of Superior and act as though they just turned 21 for the 36^th time.

The inaugural stumble (“open for business”) was held on 04.24.04 and included 15 bars, 11 hours, 30 stumblers, one administrator, several “5 minute warnings,” and a lot of public drunkenness. The feedback received was very positive and after much consideration, the STS Task Force decided that we mine-as-well (might-as-well) host another stumble.

Superior, WI was chosen due to it fulfilling the criteria set in place for the making of a successful bar crawl; acceptance of public drunkenness, several bars in close proximity, flop housing within walking distance, and bars that sell over-priced freezer-burnt pizza.

Thousands of college (and former college) kids flood the infamous Tower Avenue, Friday and Saturday nights, to guzzle that last beer. That last beer rationalizes a trip to HOD or “Ghetto Spur” as being on point. Come one hour and one drunk haulage later, you find yourself more comfortable than ever laying on cold ceramic tile in the bathroom as your slosh head stabilizes. At this time, you realize you never should have crossed the border.