I. Saturday, August 16, 1980, Millay patio, 2729 North Arlington Heights Road
The Paper Plate Kegger, The original eleven: Dave Millay, Troy Johnson, Volks, Terry Griffin, Ben Blanchard, Archie More, Tom More, Bob Eischen, Wayne Eischen, Gary Adelizzi, Wafe.
II. 1981, Millay patio, 2729 North Arlington Heights Road
(Photo of Ben & Hoffy getting Keg at Volume Liquors)
III. 1982, Millay patio, 2729 North Arlington Heights Road
Gear: First year of Kegger Wear-golden rod t-shirts designed by John Bernard.
IV. 1983, Millay Patio, 2729 North Arlington Heights Road.
Gear: Blue t-shirt designed by Volks
V. 1984, Millay Patio, 2729 North Arlington Heights Road.
Gear: White and red t-shirt with apple icon designed by Jeff Wrinkle. First year with JEM on shoulder in honor of Mr. Millay, who passed away earlier that summer.
VI. 1985, Millay Patio, 2729 North Arlington Heights Road.
Theme: “Millay Kegger Goes Hawaiian” Gear: Grey Shirt designed by Charles Moser and inspired by Weezie.
VII. 1986, Millay Patio, 2729 North Arlington Heights Road.
Gear: Blue Short Sleeve Polo Shirt. First year we introduced a collar. Designed by clotheshorse Weezie.
VIII. 1987, Millay patio, 2729 North Arlington Heights Road.
Gear: Surf shorts worn with random tops from previous years. Designed by Pierre Weezie.
IX. 1988, Mildred Freed’s Place, Rural Route One, Sycamore, IL
Host: Troy Johnson Gear: Blue Jackets designed by Troy Johnson; first year of outerwear. Highlights: Management committee was formed and decided the event would rotate between different hosts and locations.
X. 1989, Pine Crest Inn, Arlington Heights and Rand Roads
Theme: Dueling Keggers at the Whorehouse, Let’s do two Host: Volks Gear: White t-shirts for the vets; blue t-shirts for the challengers. First multiple Kegger race; first slide show.
XI. 1990, Rockin’ Robin’s Mill, Kenosha, WI
Theme: Do it in Dairyland, Just Drink It Host: Griff Gear: T-shirts Highlights: Introduction of the top ten lists of famous excuses for missing the Kegger.
XII. 1991, The Pumpkin Kegger, Port Barrington, IL
Host: Bob Hoffman Gear: Ugly orange sweatshirts depicting the “World’s Largest Twelve Pack”
XIII. 1992, Tim Millay’s residence, 1009 S. Grove Avenue, Barrington, IL
Host: Timmy Gear: Long sleeve shirt, hat, and mug Highlights: First year with a full half barrel. Timmy didn’t know which size barrel to buy, so we counted 13 rounds.
XIV. 1993, Chuck Barr’s Farm, DeKalb, IL
Host: Troy Theme: Field of Dreams softball game in a cornfield-cut diamond Guest of honor: Shoeless Pauly Heesch, who emerged from the cornfield Gear: White Sox style baseball jerseys Hayride; sleep out at Timber Creek property; Griff, Pauly opt for a hotel room at the Super 8.
XV: 1994, Merle S. Guild American Legion Hall, Post 129, Arlington Heights, IL
October 8, 1994 Host: Volks Gear: Medallions handed out with initials: DPM, JEM, TPJ Highlights: Pre-game track meet at Arlington High School. Kegger event held on a custom-made Kegger stand.
XVI. 1995, Stardust Lanes, Addison, IL
Host: Griff Theme: Bowling Tournament Gear: Multi-colored bowling shirts
XVII. 1996, Moe B. Dick’s Bar, Crystal Lake, IL
Host: Bob Hoffman Gear: Gray retrospective concert style t-shirt with all locations
XVIII. 1997, Splat Camp, Elkorn, WI
Theme: Paint Ball Kegger Host: Weezie Gear: Gray sweatshirt, blue t-shirt Highlights: Actual Kegger held in Timmy’s garage, W308 N7021, Club Circle East, Hartland, WI
XVIV. 1998, Jo Davies County Kegger, Camp Scales Mound, IL
Host: Troy Guest host: Dale Guerrattazz Helper: Jeff Hauth Theme: One of the few good men Gear: Golf shirts Highlights: 19-event skills competition; video of this event exists; first Kegger to feature live firearms.
XX. October 9, 1999, 123 S. Mitchell Avenue, Arlington Heights, IL
Theme: 20th Anniversary Edition, We’re goin’ back. Host: Volks Gear: Security Style “Ike” jackets Highlights: Museum constructed in Volks’ garage; Bus ride to Millay’s patio where Kegger event was held; paper plate invites.
XXI. 2000, Griffin residence, Inverness, IL
Host: Griff Theme: Kegger.com Gear: Fleece vest Highlights: First online domain for the Dave Millay Kegger created. Pauly Heesch joined the festivities live via web cam from Florida.
XXII. 2001, Cary Indoor Golf, Cary, IL
Host: Gary Theme: 22nd on the 22nd Actual Kegger held in Gary’s garage in Fox River Grove IL Highlights: First vegetable tray in the history of the Kegger; Famous quip by Bob Hoffman: “We should be taking a picture of you.”
XXIII. 2002, 9-hole Golf Tournament, Crystal Lake, IL
Host: Bob Hoffman Gear: Shorts Highlights: Post Kegger hot tub
XXIV. 2003, Paintball Dave’s Downtown Milwaukee, WI
Host: Tim Millay Theme: Indoor paintball competition Gear: White hat, black hat, long sleeve T Highlights: Actual Kegger held in Timmy’s garage, W308 N7021, Club Circle East, Hartland, WI
XXV. 2004, Lynch Road, DeKalb, IL
Host: Troy Johnson Theme: 25th Silver Anniversary Kegger, 2004 Gear: Nike rip-off pullover Highlights: Skill’s competition featuring canoe racing, golf, pop-a-shot; Kegger event held at a secluded “Remote location” in the brush.
XXVI: 2005, 123 S. Mitchell Avenue, Arlington Heights, IL
Theme: World Series Kegger, 2005 Gear: 26th Anniversary letterman’s jackets designed by Volks Highlights: Event held in Volk’s garage where we watched the Sox beat the Astros in game one of the World Series; Latest Kegger ever, post-time 9PM
XXVII. 2006, Reimer Reservoir Park, Palatine, IL
Theme: Disc Golf Host: Griff Event: Crave bar, Arlington Heights Gear: Tan hat Special guest: Angela Casella
XXVIII, 2007, Johnson Farm, Lynch Road, DeKalb, IL
Host: Brian & Bob Combo Kegger Theme: Washer tournament Gear: Dry-fit sleeveless work-out shirt
XXIX. 2008, Barrington High School, Barrington, IL
Host: Weezee Theme: Wiffle Ball Gear: Baseball half-shirt, hat Highlights: Kegger event held at RSVP in Lake Barrington; Special guests included Jay Gaynor and Don Monson.
XXX. 2009, Alley 64 Bar, St. Charles, IL
Theme: 30th Annual Kegger Unofficial theme: The Cluster Fuck Kegger, Kegger by Committee Hosts: Weezee, et all Gear: Hat with Dave’s signature embroidered on the back, commemorative poster Highlights: Pre-game event was rained out; special guests included Mrs. Millay and Christine Millay.
XXXI. 2010, Johnson Farm, Lynch Road, DeKalb, IL
Host: Troy Johnson Unofficial theme: Kegger in the Black Gear: Handmade beer can holster Theme: 9-hole wiffle golf tournament Highlights: First profitable Kegger; leather holster was supposedly made by a native American woman; dinner consisted of “garbage can chicken stew,” served on a tarp without utensils. Special guest was Skip More.
XXXII. 2011, Kelly’s Pub, Chicago, IL
Host: Volks Theme: The Urban Kegger Gear: Open Tap beer shirts Highlights: The first Kegger to be held in an urban location; special guest Gary Carter was reported missing by end of the night; Jack Volkman received the honorary MVP award.
XXXIII. 2012, Brat Stop, Kenosha, WI
Host: Griff Gear: Ya-hey “Got Beer” Hats, glasses Transportation: Limo by Lucian Highlights: Pre-game rendezvous was held at Harry’s Bar in Arlington Heights.
XXXIV. 2013, Professional Baseball Instruction, Barrington, IL
Host: Weezee Theme: Dodgeball Kegger Gear: Hat, pullover Highlights: Actual dodge ball tournament held on field turf in indoor training facility. Special guest was Dave Trautwein.
XXXV. 2014, Kegger Cruise, Johnson Farm, DeKalb, IL
Host: Troy. Theme: Pontoon boat ride on Johnson Pond.
Gear: Neon shirts and shorts (live preservers would have been a good idea. We were shipwrecked for a moment. Oh, the possible humanity!)
Special guest: Skip More. Highlights: The first Kegger to be held offshore. Number 35 was aboard the S.S. Kegger, a pontoon boat that sailed across Troy’s backyard pond. Unfortunately, even though the pond is a couple hundred feet long, the ship had engine trouble, and we had to be pulled to the safety of the mainland by Mr. J. Once again, Bob Johnson saves the morons.
XXXVI. 2015, Annoyance Theater & Kelly’s Pub, Chicago, IL
Host: Volks. Theme: Kegger and a Show.
Gear: CDs and Show Posters. Highlights: Pre-Kegger festivities featured a variety show at one of Chicago’s noted improv theaters. It was hosted by Griff and included three original acts. The first-ever original Kegger song, Somehow, you’re here, was performed live by Chicago artist, Little Dave Merriman. Magician Al James and singer/songwriter Pete Bonahoom also made appearances. Afterward, with the fellas properly cultured, the main event was held at Kelly’s Pub for the second time.
XXXVII. 2016, Brendan’s on Broadway, Chicago, IL
Host Griff. Theme: Make Beer Great Again. Venue: Subterranean speakeasy in Lakeview East.
Gear: MBGA hats. Highlights: Using a clever spin on President Trump’s Make America Great Again campaign slogan, this election-year-themed party was held in Chicago’s trendy East Lakeview area. The venue was a 1930’s era speakeasy in a private basement-level room. No secret handshake was required to enter, just a willingness to chug a dozen or so beers in 30 minutes.
XXXVIII. 2017, Millay Rooftop, North Greenview Avenue, Chicago, IL
Host: Tim Millay. Theme: Rooftop Kegger in Wrigleyville.
Gear: Hats and shirts by fashion brand Weezie. Highlights: First-ever Kegger held in an elevated setting. The event occurred on the three-story-plus high rooftop patio and garden above Weezie’s residence. Keggerees enjoyed a beautiful vista of the Chicago skyline and historic northside neighborhood. Not sure if neighbors thought it was so scenic, thanks to Troy’s homemade portable rooftop urinal contraption with 100-foot hoses that discharged onto the sidewalk below. Post-Kegger, the boys made a pilgrimage by private bus to Kelly’s Pub in Lincoln Park.
XXXIX. 2018, Johnson Farm, DeKalb, IL
Host: Troy Johnson. Theme: Golf Cart Kegger
Event: Skills competition with teams going against the clock while riding several dozen golf carts Troy arranged along the grounds. Highlights: “Tiny Heiny” mini-Heineken 5-liter keg makes its debut as a chaser to the quarter barrel, adding 169 additional ounces of beers chugged continuously, which equals 17 more beers. The electronic Kegger lineup scoreboard by Mike Zimmer makes its first appearance. The event on this early September evening was held one week before the Buffalo Grove High School class of 1978 40th reunion.
XL. 2019, Kelly’s Pub, Chicago, IL
Host: Volks. Theme: Semper Amici (forever friends)
Gear: Super Bowl-style rings. Highlights: The 40th Annual DMK was promoted with the release of the official Kegger Anniversary Music Video entitled “40 Up,” along with an original song performed by recording sensation CVZ. The XL-sized Kegger featured dueling kegs drained by two teams of 15 chuggers each. MVP: The Passmore brothers from Nebraska were mistaken as college football players with bowl game rings by female patrons in the bar. At least, that’s what the brothers told the ladies.
Rookie of the Year: Pauly Volks.
XLI. 2020, Johnson Farm, DeKalb, IL
Host: Troy Johnson. Theme: Kegger Lives Matter.
Gear: Shirts, hats and koozies. Highlights: Kegger 41 would not be canceled due to any Covid-19 pandemic lockdown mandates by the feds or local government officials. Dr. Jauchi (Brain Jauch) certified the farm and participants to be safe. Chugging 99+ beers in 40ish minutes was all the vaccine the boys needed. This Kegger featured virtual “participants” via video technology. Friends from Texas, Colorado, and locally beyond played along from the safety of their basements. And the official beer of this “Fuck the Coronavirus” Kegger? Corona beer, naturally.
XLII. 2021, Millay Rooftop, North Greenview Avenue, Chicago, IL
Host: Tim Millay. Theme: Rooftop Kegger.
Event: A spirited pre-Kegger competition was held at Whirlyball in Chicago, a mashup of bumper cars, lacrosse, and basketball. Troy was disqualified for cheating. Gear: Caps, Kegger logo history posters.
Highlights: Back by popular demand, Kegger 42 was again held on the rooftop patio of Tim Millay’s Wrigleyville home. This gorgeous September evening offered picturesque views of the city. The evening concluded with a commemorative slide show of the Kegger on a giant movie screen.
XLIII. 2022, American Legion Hall, Palatine, IL
Host: Terry Griffin. Theme: More beer. Less fear.
Gear: Bucket Hats and dog tags. Highlights: Kegger 43 featured a military salute throughout the event, including Bill Murray’s “Stripes” styled invites and propaganda. Keggerees arrived in Palatine by train after pre-gaming at Station 34 Pub in Mount Prospect.