Convention featured fun events
By Paul Vang and Cole Boehler
Montana Tavern Times
It is said Montana Tavern Association Conventions are concocted of just the right amounts of serious business, visiting with industry vendors, friendly competitions and socializing at parties.
When it comes to parties, MTA members are professionals, whether pitching a bash or partaking at one. While the social events range from more formal and dignified, such as the awards banquet, to the raucous, such as the 19th Hole Party or pub crawl, there is certainly something in a style for everyone.
19th Hole Party
The calendar said it was the last day of summer, and the weather couldn't have been better for a party.
After a long, hard day of golfing, shopping, or shooting, partiers at the Missoula Country Club basked in warm, bright sunshine as they socialized and unwound.
After relieving their tension with relaxing beverages, dinner took center stage, with an outdoor buffet on the patio of the country club, featuring steak, twice-baked potato, salad and, best of all, huckleberry pie and ice cream for dessert.
Following dinner, raffle and golf prizes were presented, though some people appeared to be too busy having a good time to pay strict attention to the program.
Industry Party
The industry party, which followed the Tuesday trade show, took place at Jokers Wild, just a few blocks north of the Hilton Garden Inn. The venue was decorated with various images and cutouts of animals, in keeping with the convention theme of "Throwdown in Zoo Town."
The buffet dinner featured "mom's home cooking": fried chicken, meat loaf, the usual side dishes, and a choice of several cakes for dessert, all of it delicious. Two bars were operating at full bore.
Following dinner, diners were entertained by watching some of their colleagues who were drawn to break Mexican piñatas, in the shape of various animals, filled with prizes.
Pub Crawl
Convention attendees who still had a little gas in their tanks after the trade show and industry party could then select from among various buses and vans traveling various circuits to the city's commercial districts to visit MTA member saloons in a classic "pub crawl."
It was reported transport drivers began the evening by taking head counts, then trying to affirm all were once again on board when embarking for the next stop. However, we were told, most drivers soon bagged the process when head counts proved consistently inconsistent. One driver said he started out with 17 on his vehicle, and after taking a head count after the first stop, had 21!
Men's Luncheon
The Wednesday Men's Luncheon was held at The Keep, one of Missoula's landmark restaurants, located at the Highlands Golf Club, high on a mountainside overlooking the city of Missoula.
The dinner featured a New York steak, smothered with sautéed mushrooms and blue cheese, along with mashed potatoes, salad, and a brownie for dessert. The dining fare, especially the steaks, received consistent raves from those lucky enough to sample the victuals.
Ladies Luncheon
A big yellow school bus hauled close to 50 MTA women to the Sports Page, situated in Missoula's northeast corner. The bar was open and more than one bloody mary was served. Ladies each received a nice goodie bag of toiletries along with a 10,000-carat "diamond" ring.
An excellent spinach salad started out the lunch, followed by nice chicken breast cutlet served in white wine sauce with cottage fried potatoes and vegetables. A sinful cheescake with blueberry sauce was served for dessert.
Then the music started and a Patti LaBell wannabee, at all six-feet three-inches, came out and shimmied and lip-synced her/his way through several hot numbers, including a scorching impersonation of Tina Turner performing “Proud Mary.” Many MTA women were heard to remark that "Miss Juicy" filled out "her" gowns exquisitely, though the (men's) size-13 stilettos must have been hard to come by.
Awards Banquet
The festive Wednesday awards banquet, emceed by MTA government Affairs Counsel Mark Staples, was attended by more than 250 MTA faithful and guests and featured steak and shrimp, followed by mousse for dessert.
Golf, sporting clays and poker winners were announced and honored, as were the Worker Of The Year and the Durkee Award recipients (see complete report on the Durkee winner on the front page).
After-dinner entertainment was provided by mentalist Jim Elders, who came from Chicago to dazzle convention guests with his ability to seemingly read peoples' minds.
Thursday brunch
Some MTA members were bright eyed and bushy tailed Thursday morning when the big brunch buffet opened. Others were a little more subdued after the three previous days of fun and business.
Either way, a plentiful traditional breakfast awaited with scrambled eggs, fried potatoes, sausage and bacon, fruit, pancakes, juices, coffee and even milk for those weaned too early.