Bars and restaurants that last for any length of time are rich in legend and folklore. The Arena is no exception. There is a ten year tradition of regulars and employees and their epic stories.
If you are a regular and you contribute a story of your own, there is a good chance you will end up with your name on the plaque, a recipient of the Harry Carey Award. The plaque says:
This award is bestowed upon individuals and personalities who share the same ideals as our beloved HARRY
Those ideals include not caring what other people think, living it up, and enjoying every last moment.
The names listed on the plaque have done something within the Arena that people have talked about for years.
Some people have been honored (or dishonored) for getting intoxicated. Many have been honored (or dishonored) for time spent in the bar being normal adults and then having one night of “getting ridiculous.” Some have been honored for the amount of time spent in the bar being ridiculous. But every name on the plaque includes at least one epic story.
Some of the stories include: falling off the bar while dancing on it, never seeming intoxicated until that one night, an embarrassing hook up, and other self-inflicted humiliation.
The plaque features two donkey butts. So in short, we commemorate each other for making a**es out of ourselves. We’ve given each other stories to last a lifetime. Moments of personal shame and public ridicule never die in the Arena. And if you have the guts to walk back through the door, order a shot of our house wine (jagermeister) and say, “who cares,” You might find yourself on the plaque someday too!