Bar Olympics to help people fighting cancer

HURON — The Summer Olympics has foot races, swimming and basketball. The Winter Olympics has skiing and hockey.But the Huron Browns Backers' "Bar Olympics" has exciting events that include pantyhose bowling and butt darts.The Huron club's version of the Olympics may not hearken back to ancient Greece, but it's second to none in providing a good time, club officers said."You want some fun pictures, that's where you want to be," said Jeff Hessler, vice president of Huron Browns Backers No. 421. "It is pure entertainment."The athletes in pantyhose bowling place women's stockings on their heads, attempting to knock over as many water bottles as possible. Butt darts involves holding a quarter in a certain spot of one's blue jeans and dropping it in a cup. The latter sport has "returning champions," Hessler said.Somewhat more conventional bar games such as English darts and beer pong also will be played.It's a light-hearted event, but it has a serious purpose.All proceeds from the Bar Olympics will go to help Cancer Services of Erie County, 505 E. Perkins Ave., a nonprofit which provides a variety of services to help people battling cancer. That aid includes medical supplies, transportation to obtain medical care, help with medications, nutritional supplements, and items to help cancer patients cope with physical changes, including a wig boutique and mastectomy bras.The Huron Browns Backers, now in the group's 10th year, has about 80 dues-paying numbers. When they aren't riding their orange bus to Browns home games, they are busy with fundraising events to aid local charities, and not just Cancer Services, but also groups such as Back to the Wild, the Huron Playhouse and the Humane Society of Erie County.New members are welcome. The group can be reached through its Facebook page or at its clubhouse at Kokomos at The Keys golf course. Dues are $10.The group has stayed positive despite the fact that the professional sports team it roots for has not done particularly well. The Browns are currently 0-10 after going 1-15 in 2016 and 3-13 in 2015."It doesn't even bother us anymore," club president Tony Straziuso said. "Mondays used to be rough. It's pretty bad when your punter is the best guy on your team."In any event, the Huron Browns backers think of themselves as champions."We never lost a tailgate party yet," Straziuso said.Want to Go?WHAT: Huron Browns Backers #421 Bar Olympics.WHEN: Noon, Sunday Dec. 3.WHERE: Rocking Horse Cycles and Saloon, 8315 Milan Road (on U.S. 250 south of Kalahari Resort, between Fox Road and Scheid Road).COST: $10 per person.The Cleveland Browns have a decidedly tame football team this year, but their fans in Huron ride a fierce bus. Another look at the bus ridden by Huron Browns Backers. Huron Browns Backers #421 club vice president Jeff Hessler and presidentTony Straziuso stand together for a photo on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017.