May 1 has the potential to go down in Gainesville history — maybe even world history.
Gator Stompin’, organized by the Pledge 5 Foundation, is a pub crawl in its 32nd year. This year the organization is boasting a world-record attempt for the world’s largest pub crawl.
In order to break the record, more than 4,700 people would have to check in at each of 10 bars, said Jason Bowman, director of the foundation.
“Every year the event grows, so I would anticipate sometime in the next few years Gainesville will hold the record for world’s largest pub crawl,” he said.
The current record is held by Crawl for Cancer for a pub crawl in Kansas City, Mo., that took place last year, according to the Guinness World Records 2013.
Gator Stompin’ includes almost every bar in Midtown and downtown, and many restaurants are involved as well, he said. Pledge 5 is expecting more locations to participate than the 85 that “stomped” last year.
Although it started as just a pub crawl, the event has turned into a festival over the years. The additions of music, food, activities and a kickoff concert on Bo Diddley Community Plaza have helped it expand, he said.
“I heard Waka Flocka (Flame) was going to be there, and that’s what caught my interest,” said Jonathan Haney, a 20-year-old UF marketing sophomore who is attending the crawl with his roommate.
Bowman said about 25 artists will perform, including Wolfgang Gartner, Hoochie and Chuck Ragan from Hot Water Music.
Heather Lilholt, director of community events for Pledge 5, said for those who are a part of the organization, the event is more than just a pub crawl.
“When people come out and support the cause, you’re not just supporting local business, but you’re supporting a great foundation that is working toward generating volunteers,” Lilholt said. “It’s all in all a good cause, no matter what way you look at it.”
[A version of this story ran on page 19 on 4/23/2014 under the headline "Gator Stompin’ organizers hope to break pub crawl record"]
Gator Stompin’, a pub crawl organized by the Pledge 5 Foundation, will attempt to break a world record on May 1 by having more than 4,700 people check in to 10 bars each.
