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Al's Fourth
of July Party!!! |
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So, what makes this party, THE party?
Food - What's the only food that can make Jack jump back into the Box? That's right. It's the mouth-watering, delectable Alburger. There is no better way to celebrate the best summer holiday than with a fresh-off-the-grill Alburger. The meat is gently brushed with specially selected Al Seasoning, teasingly kissed with the perfect barbecue sauce (imported all the way from Owensboro, Kentucky), cooked just-so and pulled off the grill at the peak of flavor perfection. Nothing could send your tastebuds closer to Valhalla. Oh yes, it's ever-so-satisfying plain. But if that's not enough, garnish it with your choice of mustard, cheese, lettuce, and/or ketchup. To complement your Alburger, we'll also be offering Liberty Dogs, Freedom Corn, Independence Beans and Firecracker Fruit Salad, made by the lovely Sarah.
Music - For years, you've danced to the tunes of Al's Party Classics and you've known it as the Grooviest of all music compilations. This year, we're taking Party Classics to a new level. Come wear out your dancing shoes to SARAH's Party Classics, Volume 1. (Note that we didn't say "the next level." Just a new level.) Fine print: The Al's Fourth of July Party Legal Team requires us to note here that we're not legally responsible to replace your dancing shoes should you, in fact, wear them out. Dance all night long at your own risk.
Beer - Oh yes, two kegs. Previous parties have seen Henry's, Red Hook, and Blonde Ale from the Ram. We may even outdo ourselves this year and offer Whistling Pig Hefeweizen from the Leavenworth Brewery.
Door Prizes - If you're among the first 50 guests to arrive, you'll win a door prize. Forevermore, you'll walk proud knowing that you're a winner! Among the special items this year are a signed Bobby Ayala baseball card, a pair of Ben & Jerry's socks, and some other cool stuff. (We just can't remember what it is. But trust us, it's cool.) You'll also be happy to know that in 1997, the Prize Oversight Committee (P.O.C.) decided to raise the Maximum Door Prize Purchase Price (M.D.P.P.P.) from $2.99 to $4.99!
The In Crowd. Yes, that's right. You, my friend, can see and be seen by ALL the beautiful people. Many human resource experts say that adding "Partied With Al" to your resume can increase your chances of getting hired by 73%. However, failing to attend can result in divorce, halitosis and general shunning by society.
Super-posh Accommodations. New for 2003, an entirely re-landscaped back yard, with cool new places where you can sit around and hang out!! Watch Wade the landscaper fret nervously as you walk on his newly-laid grass!!
Still need convincing? Read on to see pictures from previous parties, read answers to your most
frequently asked party questions, and learn all about
the party's history.
But just HOW good were the other parties?
After a nearly 5-year absence, Albabe's 4th of July Party returned with fabulous parties in 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002. Take a moment to reminisce your favorite party memories.
Sure, there will be a long line to pet Samson the Wonder Puppy in his cute Red, White & Blue bandana. But like Disneyland, the wait will be well worth it. |
 Margie Moore historically dresses with the most Red, White & Blue.
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 After traveling from Denver to Alaska to attend the party, Paul W. Ogle receives the Bagley-McPhail award. Thrilled about the award, Paul went back home and created his own web page for the Party! |
Albabe's 4th of July Party Frequently Asked Questions
Why a 4th of July Party on the 3rd of
July?
I'm a man of the people.
And this way, my people can come to my party AND go out of town or go
watch fireworks or do whatever they want on the next day. It's like I am
giving you, the people, TWO Fourths of July for the price of
one!!
How did the Party
start?
In 1985, I rented
a house with three other roommates while interning at the
Phoenix Gazette. We decided to have a cookout, and only one person
came. So I realized the only place for the party to go
from that point was up. Since 1986, it's become a tradition among my
friends, oodles of whom have travelled from afar to attend.
Perhaps this year, you'll be that
traveler!
What's the secret behind those
mysterious Al-burgers?
Primarily, the secret seasoning. And the
barbecue sauce from Moonlite Bar-B-Q in Owensboro, Kentucky. But the
importance of excellent grilling skill cannot be understated, of
course.
How do
you audition songs for Al's Party
Classics?
I'm glad you
asked that question. I sift through my extensive collection of
CDs and draw up a list of potential songs, and then I play them loud, one
at one time. Then I see if they make me dance all around recklessly, kind
of like Tom Cruise in Risky Business. If they pass that test, they're
in.
Really?
Yes.
Can we expect the same result from Sarah's Party
Classics?
Hard to say, since Sarah's favorite artists include John Denver and Bob Dylan. She might surprise us, though. So I think you'll just have to come to the party and answer that question for yourself.
When do you shop for door prizes? If I show up at 11 p.m. will I still get one? Wherever there is a tacky, flea-markety item to be sold, you can bet I'll be there evaluating it for potential door-prize material. I shop all year round. And the more I travel, the tackier the prizes. They are first-come, first-served, though, so anyone arriving at 11 p.m. is sadly going to miss out. It's a shame, really.
What's this fuss I keep hearing
about the Bagley/McPhail award?
In 1990, Margaret Bagley set out from
Washington DC to Louisville with our friend Shelly McPhail. They
broke down in Eastern Kentucky and had to be towed several hundred miles
to the party. (They made QUITE an entrance, of course.) Ever
since, the award with the traveling trophy has
been given to the person who has gone through the
most to attend the party.
Party History:
Tuesday, July
4, 1985 - (Tempe, Ariz.) First party
ever. In attendance: 4 hosts (Ralph, James, John & me) and 1 guest
(Terri Petramala).
Saturday,
July 5, 1986 - (Bloomington, Ind.) Final
summer of college career, and one fitting shindig to
celebrate.
Saturday,
July 4, 1987 - (Owensboro, Ky.) Biggest
event of the evening was when host Albabe tried to light everybody's
sparklers himself at once and burned the heck out of his
hand.
Saturday,
March 19, 1988 - (Holmes Beach, Fla.)
Independence Day came a little early in 1988 in order to coincide
with Spring Break in Florida.
Saturday, July 1, 1989 - (Louisville,
Ky.) Olympic Gold Medallist Mary T. Meagher attends and wins Motel 6
towels & soap as her door prize. 
Saturday, June 30, 1990 - (Louisville, Ky.) Margaret and Shelly get towed in from Eastern
Kentucky and attract a LOT of attention. Probably the
largest shindig to date at 100+ attendees. Saturday, June 29, 1991 - (Louisville, Ky.) Coming in from Mexico for the party, Angie
Heimburger wins first Bagley-McPhail award. Though the judges were
biased due to his gender, Scott Anderson shares in the
award.
Saturday,
July 4, 1992 - (Wenatchee, Wa.)
Second party west of the Mississippi proves more fruitful
than the first.
Friday, July
4, 1997 - (Seattle, Wa.) My friend
Angelyn rescues me by providing party facilities. Budget for door prizes
is increased from a maximum of $2.99 to $4.99. Guests come from
Australia, Israel, New York, Illinois and even Everett
Washington.
Friday, July
3, 1998 - (Seattle, Wa.) Bagley-McPhail
trophy (which had been languishing in a closet in Evansville
Ind.) was given out again to Paul
Ogle. Firecracker Fruit Salad becomes an instant sensation.
Party is listed as one of two "4th of July Events in Seattle" on
yahoo.com, the other being the Ivar's fireworks at Myrtle
Edwards Park.
Saturday,
July 3, 1999 - (Seattle, Wa.)
Big party featuring the new puppy, Samson.
Also, had to lie about whether I was going to propose to Sarah, as the proposal I had planned was only two weeks
away.
Monday,
July 3rd, 2000. (Seattle, Wa.)
First 4th of July party in new house. George Thomas Jr. wins the
Bagley McPhail award in recognition of his lifetime achievement as a party
guest.
Tuesday, July 3rd, 2001. (Seattle, Wa.) Sarah Anne Moore delivers on her prediction
of good weather. McDonald's French Fry radio is an instant door
prize classic. Lighted American Flag window ornament draws oohs and
ahhs from the late-night crowd.
Wednesday July 3rd, 2002. (Seattle, Wa.) Sarah Anne Moore is 2-for-2 on the
whole calling-good-weather thing. Miller High-Life barbecue, donated to the door prize collection by Kurt Vold, is a huge hit with Jeff & Misty. Samson's dog walker Dana comes to the party and Samson immediately forgets we exist, proceeding to follow Dana around everywhere because he's sure she's there to take him to the park.
So just what do you have to say? Drop me a line: alan@albabe.com
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