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Brew Rush scheduled as part of 40th anniversary ‘Animal House’ celebration on Saturday, Aug. 18
Back in 1978, the town of Cottage Grove buzzed as crews arrived to film ‘Animal House,’ a movie that would become an enduring, if irreverent, classic. On Saturday, Aug. 18 of this year, the town will come together to celebrate this fantastic anniversary and attempt to recapture the record for the ”World’s Largest Toga Party” that Cottage Grove first attained on the movie’s 25th anniversary in 2003.
Local running group Run CG organizes events each year that showcase the beauty and charm of the Cottage Grove area, while providing an atmosphere of fun and fitness. The group couldn’t wait to be part of this year’s ‘Animal House’ celebration, and they’re planning a race that’s sure to add excitement to the festivities.
Billed as a ”Beer Mile, Toga Style” the Brew Rush will take place alongside the party at Bohemia Park beginning at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday Aug. 18. Several heats of runners will drink a beer at each quarter-mile interval of the race for a four-beer total. They’ll have brews of three different strengths from which to choose thanks to local sponsors: Plank Town Brewing, Pelican Brewing and Goodlife Brewing.
According to beermile.com, the official resource for beer mile-related activities, the earliest documented beer miles took place in the late 1980s, and the races trace their origins in part to various college campuses. In the early 1990s, the emergence of digital communication helped foster their growing popularity and introduce a set of standard rules. Today, beer miles are more popular than ever, and the record times – four minutes, 33 seconds for men and six minutes, eight seconds for women – are impressive by any standard.
Of course, in Cottage Grove, participants will have the added challenge of performing the Brew Rush in a toga, which is required for entry into the celebration. The full registration fee, which includes all four beers, entry into the toga party, a toga kit and $10 food voucher, is $75. More information and registration for the Brew Rush can be found at www.runcgrun.com.
