CAUTION! One needs to be adventurous and thick-skinned to enjoy Hash House Harrier events! As we follow the trail of the hare we'll occasionally find ourselves in unusual outdoor places or situations that we're not entirely comfortable with, such as the creek-crossing shown above. That's why we call this a "D3," even though it's not the usual AOC D3 hike distance. Newcomers can also expect to be surprised by the Hash House Harriers' bawdy nicknames, song lyrics, etc.
IN A NUTSHELL: Our AOC "subgroup" has had a blast each of the past three years at the adventurous and wacko New Year's Day "Cheddarhead" follow-the-hare event. Again we look forward to joining our friends of the Atlanta Hash House Harriers & Harriettes ("AH4") to ring in 2012 in this fun and memorable way. A Wisconsin native, my good buddy "Oops" is one of the 3 volunteer "hares" this year, and assures me that a good time will again be had by all!
Are you looking for something outdoors that's festive and wildly different—and with just enough aerobic exercise to keep “resolution guilt” from kicking in as you ease out of that New Years Eve hangover?! If so, the AH4's 23rd Annual Cheddarhead should fill the bill. No funds are collected by the AOC for this event, but if you decide to take part, bring $10 in cash to chip in to the AH4 registration volunteer for your fair share of the bountiful Wisconsin-style food, refreshments and door prizes that will be our reward for successfully following the trail left by the AH4 hare.
After a brief welcoming ceremony at the Start, our 200+ harriers (a.k.a. "hashers") will help one another find and follow the hare's flour-splotched trail. The lead harriers at the front of the group will yell "On-On!" back to us as they spot the successive splotches of baking flour. After a couple of hours on the trail (usually no more than ~3 or 4 miles) we'll arrive at the "On-In" party area - usually the back yard of one of the hashers.
WHEN & WHERE? At 1:30 PM our AOC subgroup will join the large crowd of Hash House Harriers at the START location. This year the START will be the free parking lot of the "Brunswick Zone" bowling center at 2749 Delk RoadinSE Marietta, just 3/4 mile east of the I-75 Delk Rd exit (see directions, address & lat/lon below).
MORE on the EVENT and WHAT TO BRING: Between 1:30 and 1:45 look for me, Charlie, wearing a green Atlanta Outdoor Club T-Shirt, a baseball cap, and my "Dirty Limerick" beaded necklace in the area where everyone is checking in. I'll mark you present on our AOC subgroup roster and help you register for the event with the AH4 "hash cash" volunteer—$10 in cash, please, to cover your share of the bountiful refreshments & food.
At about 2:00 there'll be a mock-formal welcome ceremony featuring the hilarious "Wedge of Allegiance" Cheddarhead creed. A few minutes later our big group will all set off together at a fast-walking or slow-jogging pace. The hare's trail will likely take us along a creative sequence of forested urban trails, powerline easements, residential streets, etc. Feel free to walk/jog with me (Charlie, a.k.a. "Dirty Limerick") during this "follow-the-hare" part of the festivities. We'll enjoy a refreshment stop along the way compliments of our AH4 hosts.
The custom is for each participant to bring a small Duffel Bag of Extra Garments, dry Shoes/Socks and a light Chair which are delivered for us from the "START" parking lot to the "mystery-location" party venue. (See "What to Wear & Bring" sections below)
"CHEDDARHEAD" PARTY DETAILS: The event gets its name from the fact that its founder, a veteran AH4 hasher known as “Public Enema” and his partners in crime are from Wisconsin. At the big party and outdoor cookout they provide delicious all-you-can-eat Wisconsin-style food and refreshments - usually including charbroiled bratwursts, blackeyed peas & rice, Canadian-style french fries & gravy, salad, beer & soft drinks, and a nice assortment of munchies & desserts. You’ll love their fresh cheese curds, flown down from Wisconsin and deep-fried outdoors at the party! There’s of course lots of friendly socializing plus door prizes, bawdy drinking songs, and obligatory “down-downs” of a small cups of beer for “notables” such as the hares, “rule violators,” and newcomers to the sport. (You may request your non-alcoholic drink of choice for a "down-down" in lieu of beer.)Please plan to imbibe in moderation, esp. if you’re driving.
POST-PARTY FREE SHUTTLE: At about 5:30 PM our AH4 hosts will offer complimentary shuttle rides back to the Start parking lot for us and our gear. After we reach our own vehicles it will be appreciated if some of us can take the time to provide the same short shuttle (typically about 5 minutes from Party to Start) for other partiers who may still need a ride.
OPTIONAL EARLY-EVENING BOWLING PARTY: After the afternoon excitement, feel free to re-group with some of our AH4 Cheddarhead hosts at about 6:00 PM at the "Brunswick Zone" bowling center by our cars for a few friendly games—just $4 per game and $4 for shoe rental if you decide to take part.
FOR the OFFICIAL NEW YEARS DAY 2012 “CHEDDARHEAD" ANNOUNCEMENT ARTICLE click on the following link from the AtlantaHash.com website:
http://atlantahash.com/?page=events&n=1596
• For links to the numerous Hash House Harrier groups in Georgia including AH4 go to:
http://www.onin.com/hhh/#georgia_hashes
• For more on the history, culture and worldwide popularity of "Hashing" go to:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hash_House_Harriers |
| Event Directions: |  |
THE "START LOCATION" for the event will be the free Parking Lot of the "BRUNSWICK ZONE" bowling complex at 2749 Delk Road in SE Marietta. Vehicles can be left safely here during the event until we return after the "On-In Party" via the free shuttle rides discussed above.
DIRECTIONS FROM the I-75/ I-285 INTERCHANGE in NW ATLANTA:
1. Take I-75 North only about 2 miles and exit toward your right at the "Delk Road" exit. (Exit #261).
2. Turn Right (eastward) onto Delk Road, go just 3/4 mile and look for the "Brunswick Zone" bowling alley and its large parking lot on your left. Park in the front left corner of the lot by the Firestone Tire Center.
3. We'll gather there with the dozens of returning regular "Hash House Harriers." Please check in with Charlie to let him know that you're there with our AOC "subgroup." Also please take care of your registration and $10 cash fee with the AH4 "Hash Cash" volunteer.
ADDRESS of BOWLING COMPLEX & PARKING LOT: This may be useful as your entered destination for GPS or Google Maps in conjunction with above directions:
2749 Delk Road, Marietta, GA 30067
LAT/LON COORDINATES of PARKING LOT: These may be useful as your entered destination for GPS or Google Maps in conjunction with above directions:
33.9233, -84.4737
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