13 venues, 60 sponsors participating in Happy Slapowitz's Toy Bash on Thursday

For the 15th year, Happy Slapowitz's Toy Bash is collecting toys for local children in need by holding a party Thursday that spans more than a dozen venues throughout downtown Cape Girardeau.

For a $10 donation, the purchase of a Happy Slapowitz's Toy Bash T-shirt -- which are nearly sold out -- or a new, unwrapped toy, bash-goers will receive admission to 13 downtown Cape Girardeau venues -- 12 of which will offer a barbecue buffet followed by a concert by a local band.

The 13th location will not have a concert but will continue the buffet throughout the night.

After the event, Happy Slapowitz's Toy Bash will donate new Christmas toys to local children through another charity.

"We primarily focus on the Marine Corps League's Toys For Tots program in Southeast Missouri," Ryan Eftink, a co-founder of the Happy Slapowitz Toy Bash, said. "They serve four counties in the local area."

This was important, Eftink said. He and the other co-founders of the event wanted to ensure their work benefited the community.

Happy Slapowitz's Toy Bash has come a long way from its beginnings as a house party with a cause.

"I'd just bought a house, and my roommates and I decided to have a Christmas party," Eftink said. "We thought it would be good to have a reason for the party, so we made it a toy drive."

Guests would bring a gift or donate a little money, he said, and could eat and drink all night long.

More than 100 people arrived at Eftink's home that evening.

"Automatically, we knew we had tapped into something," Eftink said.

The next year, Eftink and his friends enlisted help from the Rude Dog Pub, then called Happy Slapowitz's Rude Dog Pub. The Rude Dog hosted the event in the first year it moved beyond a house party and for several years following.

"For the first three or four years, we were the only ones involved, but it's taken off from there and grown to be a real downtown event," said Mark Weber, co-owner of the Rude Dog Pub. "It's a good cause and a good time."

The name of the charity, Eftink said, is a tribute to the bar and its patrons, many of whom still are contributing to the event and will count themselves among more than 50 volunteers making it possible.

Each venue will host a barbecue buffet from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday evening, and bands will play at each venue starting at 8:30.

Eftink said to feed attendees, they're preparing 600 pounds of pulled pork, 400 pounds of potato casserole, 50 gallons of beans and 200 pounds of coleslaw.

"All expenses are paid for by sponsors," Eftink said.

This year, there are more than 60 sponsors. Their contributions allow the proceeds from the event to go directly to the charity, Eftink said.

According the event's Facebook page, the concert lineup is as follows:

• Evan Webb at The Rude Dog Pub
• Jennifer Leigh & Friends with Lindsay Bowerman at Minglewood Brewery
• The Tone Def All-Stars at Hotshots Sports Bar & Grill
• Ukes of Hazzard at The Bar, LLC
• BEEF at Willie T's
• Isabella & LivinTale at Mixing 10
• Captain Howdy at Blue Diamond Sports Bar
• The Big Idea at The Library
• Jimmy Lee Band at Dempsey's Drinkery
• Holly Benton & Kevin Engert at Port Cape Girardeau
• Mike Renick Band & The Intention at Ragsdales
• The Level & Small Stares at Pour House

Coin-Op Cantina will host the all-night buffet.

Last year, as an 11-venue event, the Happy Slapowitz Toy Bash was able to donate 3,800 toys to the Toys for Tots program.

With T-shirts effectively sold out and a bigger number of venues, Eftink said signs point to an even more successful event this year.

"We have room for everyone," Eftink said. "We'd love to have them all come out and have a good time."

bbrown@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3630

Pertinent address:

123 Main St, Cape Girardeau, MO

121 Broadway St, Cape Girardeau, MO

15 Main St, Cape Girardeau, MO

117 Themis St, Cape Girardeau, MO

36 N. Spanish St, Cape Girardeau, MO

2 Main St, Cape Girardeau, MO

26 Main St, Cape Girardeau, MO

10 S Spanish St, Cape Girardeau, MO

127 N Water St. Cape Girardeau, MO

19 N Water St, Cape Girardeau, MO

133 Main St, Cape Girardeau, MO

113 Broadway St, Cape Girardeau, MO

46 Main St, Cape Girardeau, MO