The first-ever Prince Albert Mocktail Challenge brought more than 100 community members together on Nov. 15 and raised more than $10,000 in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Prince Albert (BBBS) and the Community Alcohol Strategy Steering Committee (CASSC).
Six local community champions stepped behind the mock bar at the Prince Albert Golf and Curling Centre to mix their signature creations and rally donations.
” (We are) so happy with all the community supporting (the event) and coming out. It’s been a great event,” Natasha Thomson, Development Coordinator at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Prince Albert said.
The Mocktail Challenge was a come-and-go affair, but tables were full for the evening.
In the opening round Robin Poliszuk and the Mango Lime-o-nade faced off with Evert Botha and The Pink Flamingo. In the second round, Brooke Wozniak and her Pina No-Lada faced off with Dr. Visham Sukkhu and the Blue Thunder. In the final round Mayor Bill Powalinsky and his Saskatchewan Sunset faced off with Ty Moe and the Wild North Limonade.
The friendly competition featured three awards: Top Seller Bartender, Drink of Choice Award, and Mocktail Bartender Champion.
“There are three trophies up for grabs tonight,” Thomson explained. “One is for the bartender who serves the most drinks in their time period. One is for the highest rated drink by our panel of judges—Barry Brezden, Kelly Clark and youth Ayla Ballentyne—who judged drinks on merit and presentation.
“The third and final trophy that we are awarding tonight is the mocktail bartender champion, which is the bartender that raises the most money. Our bartenders have been fundraising for the last six weeks.”
Powalinsky described his drink poetically.
“Imagine a summer’s evening, and it’s a calm evening, and the dust is hanging in the air and time stands still. The sun is setting, you can hear the crickets chirping, smell the rose bushes. You’re leaning back in your comfortable lawn chair, and what would be more perfect than a jug of the Saskatchewan sunset that hangs on your tongue so delicately. It’s light, it’s flavourful, it’s everything Saskatchewan,” Powalinsky said.
Powalinsky said he came up with the recipe because of the assistance of people.
“I had a lot of help in putting that together,” he explained.
Thomson said it was nice to have such a diverse group of celebrity bartenders.
“Just wonderful support all the way around,” Thomson said.
Moe earned the Top Seller Bartender title after serving 56 Wild North Limonades during his set. The Drink of Choice Award, selected by a panel of judges based on taste and presentation, was awarded to Botha for his signature mocktail, The Pink Flamingo.
The Mocktail Bartender Champion title went to Ty Moe, who raised a total of $3,885 in donations. The race for the fundraising title was exceptionally close, with Mayor Bill Powalinsky receiving an additional $600 in donations after the event, bringing his final total to $3,940 and earning him an honourable mention.
Before the final count for the evening Powalinsky knew the competition would be tight.
“I’m just right behind Ty Moe for the contributions. I looked at my competitors’ drinks as they’re going by and I’m thinking, that’s going to be a steep hill to climb,” Powalinsky said. “Everybody’s just doing so well and the crowd is fantastic.”
“The success of this event reflects the strength of our partnerships and the generosity of our community,” Thomson said in a press release. “Together, we are creating positive spaces, healthy choices, and meaningful opportunities for local youth.”
Funds raised will support mentorship programs, youth education, healthy choices, and community well-being in Prince Albert. The event also strengthens ongoing efforts by CASSC to promote alcohol-free social environments and encourage positive, healthy community connections.
Thomson said that partnering with the Community Alcohol Strategy Steering Committee gave the event a double message about good choices for everyone.
“We were able to pool our talents and resources together to do this,” Thomson said. “It’s been wonderful working with CASSC.”
BBBS and CASSC extends its thanks to all the bartender challengers, volunteers, judges, media partners, donors, and guests who came out to try the delicious mocktails.
“We’re just so happy that everyone came out tonight and everyone’s having a good time,” Thomson said. “Mocktails are really on the rise. They are a trending industry.”
michael.oleksyn@paherald.sk.ca
