Tracker Pixel for Entry

​Toast of the Town

Cocktail Showdown | March 3rd, 2016

photos by Kensie Wallner

Last Sunday the Crystal Ballroom was transformed into a little slice of sin city, representing class, sass, and everything in between for the third annual Bartender’s Ball. Attendees were spotted donning their finest evening garb, leisure suits and tuxes along with a few patrons channeling the late great Hunter S. Thompson. Ladies rocked sky high heels, high hemlines, chic cocktail dresses, glitter, and evening gowns.

Blue Belle’s Burlesque greeted patrons in little more than smiles and sparkles. DJ Dextrious provided the soundtrack of the evening, mixing a unique blend of anything from Elvis to Richard Cheese to dubstep.

The featured bartenders shook rattled and rolled out some of the finest cocktails to hit the lips of Fargo. What wasn’t being sampled at the judges table went up for auction, and we are proud to say that we were able to donate close to $5,000 to The Sisters of the Presentation to benefit area families in need.

It was a close competition and a challenge to judge. This year Jared Winmill of Rustica Tavern took home the gold.

Thank you to the competitors, Blue Belle’s Burlesque, DJ Dextrious, our wonderful HPR staff, Kensie Wallner Photography, the friendly folks at The Crystal Ballroom, HB Sound and Light, and a big thank you to J. Earl Miller for being the man with the plan.

A warm heartfelt thank you to our sponsors Midwest Communications, Republic National Distribution, Bergseth Brothers, Rhombus Guys, Ramada Plaza & Suites, Free Poker Network, and all the companies that donated prizes for our guests and competitors.

Congratulations Jared Winmill of Rustica Tavern!

RECENTLY IN

Cocktail Showdown

Tracker Pixel for Entry aquarium Tracker Pixel for Entry MidwestRoadTripAdventures Tracker Pixel for Entry hjemkmost Tracker Pixel for Entry Aquarium Tracker Pixel for Entry FPL Tracker Pixel for Entry StCloud

Recently in:

By Winona LaDukewinona@winonaladuke.com The business of Indian Hating is a lucrative one. It’s historically been designed to dehumanize Native people so that it’s easier to take their land. ‘Kill the Indian, save the man,”…

By Winona LaDukewinona@winonaladuke.comThere’s not really a word for reconciliation, it's said in our language. There’s a word for making it right. To talk about reconciliation in terms of the relationship between Indigenous…

Saturday, December 7, 3-8 p.m.Cows & Co Creamery, 7321 1st St. NE, Carrington NDA European Christmas market meets good ol’ fashioned North Dakota fun during this holiday celebration. Enjoy food, merriment, hot drinks, cozy…

By Jim Fugliejimfuglie920@gmail.com Okay, so last month I promised you a woman President of the United States. So much for my predictability quotient. Lesson 1: Never promise something you can’t control. And nobody, not even…

By Ed Raymondfargogadfly@gmail.comWith What is Happening in the World, Why not Artificial Intelligence? Since Lucy fell out of a tree and walked about four million years ago, she has been evolving to humans we call Homo sapiens. We…

By Rick Gionrickgion@gmail.com Holiday wine shopping shouldn’t have to be complicated. But unfortunately it can cause unneeded anxiety due to an overabundance of choices. Don’t fret my friends, we once again have you covered…

By Rick Gionrickgion@gmail.com In this land of hotdish and ham, the knoephla soup of German-Russian heritage seems to reign supreme. In my opinion though, the French have the superior soup. With a cheesy top layer, toasted baguette…

By John Showalterjohn.d.showalter@gmail.com Local band Zero Place has been making quite a name for itself locally and regionally in the last few years. Despite getting its start during a time it seemed the whole world was coming to…

By Greg Carlsongregcarlson1@gmail.com Writer-director Nicole Riegel’s sophomore feature “Dandelion” is now playing in theaters following a world premiere at South by Southwest in March. The movie stars KiKi Layne as the…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.comIn 1974, the Jamestown Arts Center started as a small space above a downtown drugstore. It has grown to host multiple classrooms, a gallery, performance studio, ceramic studio and outdoor art park.…

By John Showalterjohn.d.showalter@gmail.comHigh Plains Reader had the opportunity to interview two mysterious new game show hosts named Milt and Bradley Barker about an upcoming event they will be putting on at Brewhalla. What…

By Annie Prafckeannieprafcke@gmail.com AUSTIN, Texas – As a Chinese-American, connecting to my culture through food is essential, and no dish brings me back to my mother’s kitchen quite like hotdish. Yes, you heard me right –…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.comNew Jamestown Brewery Serves up Local FlavorThere’s something delicious brewing out here on the prairie and it just so happens to be the newest brewery west of the Red River and east of the…

By Josette Ciceronunapologeticallyanxiousme@gmail.com What does it mean to truly live in a community —or should I say, among community? It’s a question I have been wrestling with since I moved to Fargo-Moorhead in February 2022.…

Rynn WillgohsJanuary 25, 1972-October 8, 2024 Rynn Azerial Willgohs, age 52, of Vantaa, Finland, died by suicide on October 8, 2024. Rynn became her true-self March 31, 2020. She immediately became a vocal and involved activist…

By Faye Seidlerfayeseidler@gmail.com My name is Faye Seidler and I’m a suicide prevention advocate and a champion of hope. I think it is fair to say that we’ve been living through difficult times and it may be especially…