Submitted by Lacey Pocket Gophers
The Lacey Pocket Gophers and Bus 49 have teamed up for unique creative concessions offerings for the adult men’s soccer team’s 2018 home schedule, starting with the Saturday, May 5 match against Federal Way at North Thurston’s South Sound Stadium at 7:30 p.m.
Pocket Gophers Chairman/President Troy Kirby said that the family fun sports and entertainment atmosphere extends beyond standard sports marketing promotions.
“Our aim is right at our fan’s stomachs,” Kirby said. “Our area is known for our foodies, and we wanted to make sure that when you have a meal at the stadium, that you get something not only unique to the team, but also to your taste buds. We make zero excuses if it ends up increasing your waistline in the process.”
The Pocket Gophers’ official concessionaire for 2018 is Bus 49, an actual former city bus retro-fitted into a world class concessions stand, run by Jim & Colleen Lemon.
“Bus 49 has been providing great concessions since 2016 to Lewis County and Thurston County public events,” Kirby said. “We felt they were a natural fit in discovering the best way to deliver a great tasting menu to our fans.”
Kirby highlighted “The Mazama Burger” which is a 46-gram, 10oz hamburger patty, complete with lettuce and tomato. “Extra resources” such as cheese can be added, along with sidewinder fries and a drink in a meal combo.
“My personal favorite is the Gopher Gutts burger, a steaming hot pulled pork sandwich with blueberry barbeque sauce,” Kirby said. “You can wash it down with either a North County Soda (Italian Soda, flavored syrup, whipped cream), or a South County Soda (Italian Soda, flavored syrup, whipped cream, and a Red Bull).”
Kirby said that Bus 49 will be serving up a 16oz Invasive Species Slushee, complete with gummi bears, as well as a Subspecies hot cocoa drink with a chocolate syrup swirl around the inside of the glass.
“We also serve andouille sausages on sticks known as Gopher Tails and Whining Weenies for those folks who want vegi dogs,” Kirby said.
Nachos are also sold in two versions; Protected Habitat, which offers nacho cheese, sour cream, and optional jalapenos over tortilla chips or EPA, which means a ton of pulled pork over the Protected Habitat version.
Bus 49 is also offering up The Butt Pucker Challenge, which any hardcore firebreather will want to try. The Challenge is to eat 6 chicken drumlets soaked in Carolina Reaper barbeque sauce and not drink anything for 10 minutes. Winners of this challenge will receive a $25 gift certificate to Bus 49’s offerings at a Pocket Gopher home match, a limited edition Butt Pucker Challenge t-shirt, cotton balls and a small bottle of milk of magnesia.
“There are some insane promotions, and this one takes the cake or potentially the lining of your stomach,” Kirby said. “The Carolina Reaper was named the hottest pepper in the world in 2013 from its Scoville Scale rating, but we already have some folks willing to take the challenge.
All Butt Pucker Challenge entrants will be required to sign a waiver eliminating all liability of Bus 49 and the Lacey Pocket Gophers, and milk will be available if entrants cannot complete the challenge.
“For the Lacey Pocket Gophers, its about experience and feel of something that you can’t get anywhere else,” Kirby said. “Our goal is to make a place where a family can have a meal, while watching great semi-pro adult men’s soccer throughout our five matches this Spring and Summer.”
The Lacey Pocket Gophers’ first of five home matches is Saturday, May 5 at 7:30 p.m. at North Thurston’s South Sound Stadium. The first 500 kids through the doors (opening at 6:30 p.m.) get free 20oz water bottles courtesy of Thurston Talk. The JumpRope King Nat Jackson will be performing at halftime. Buy your tickets in advance here.
