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Camptown Races Play Croquet

Friends of Doo Dah host Short North Urban Croquet

By Sean Lehosit

The autumn season has not been tardy with its arrival in Columbus, Ohio. While summer has come to pass, many residents may be pulling out their fall jackets, blue jeans, and downy blankets thinking back to the days of strolling down High Street in short sleeves and sunglasses, listening to the outdoor concerts and other festivals that populated the months of June and July. However, the chilly weather is not the marker of an end to outdoor fun. On Sunday, October 25, the Friends of Doo Dah will be hosting their annual Short North Urban Croquet event.

Going about twenty years strong, Urban Croquet has been hosted at various venues, but for the past three years, including the present one, the course has been located behind the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) building in the Short North.

"It's not your typical croquet course or match," said Deb Roberts, aka Mz. Doo Dah ChairChik. "The courses are oddly shaped, there are mounds of dog doo, there's a moat that runs through all the courses... [and] a course where if you miss the last pin your ball will roll over a cliff and you pretty much have to go all the way back around the hill."

During any particular year, anywhere between fifteen to twenty teams, plus spectators and golfers alike, come out to watch the event.

"Yeah, it's a little wacky," says Roberts. "You can be a serious croquet player too; you can come in your dress whites. [However,] the one thing that's serious about this is the quest for the first-place trophy. They are out there to win the trophy."

Indeed, this year should be especially competitive over the first-place trophy. Last year's champions were Team Wicketmaster, consisting of team members Eric Lanese, Wes Ingram, Max Faulkner and Chris Sauer, who retained their championship title after landing the coveted victory the year before in 2007. Their victory was won over the competing teams like the Grandview Café, the Holes, the Village Drunken Idiots, the Shockers and the Black Widows.

Another interesting fact is that this year's Urban Croquet event falls on United Nations Day Weekend and the Friends of Doo Dah have added a special feature to this year's event in acknowledgment of the day.

"We decided to throw in 'come dressed as your favorite nation'," said Roberts. "You can come [and] pick your favorite nation, too; you don't have to come dressed to support it. That's the Doo Dah angle."

According to the event's website, special prizes will be given to the best nation-themed team and spectator.

As the first mallets hit the course at noon, the day is expected to have plenty of four-person teams anxious to play through the wacky obstacles. Spectators will be gathered to enjoy the food and beer for sale, as well as pass an otherwise drawl Sunday with some good entertainment, friends and, as the Friends of Doo Dah always promise... fun.

Short North Urban Croquet will be located at 23 W. 2nd Ave, behind IBEW Local 683. Prospective players may register their teams on the events website www.urbancroquet.com or by calling (614) 228-0621. There is a $60 registration fee, and last minute walk-ons are allowed providing team spots are still vacant. All proceeds go to fund the Doo Dah Parade 2010. The Friends of Doo Dah is a Not-For-Profit Charitable Organization.

Originally Published: October 14, 2009

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