Great American Party Gives Bostonians Annual Reason to Get Revved Up for Daytona 500, Rock Mean Mustaches

What started off as yet another clever reason to engage in the age-old weekly tradition known as Sunday Funday, Scott Haavisto, Brian Malone and Mike Morris have turned the Daytona 500 — an annual NASCAR race held about 1,250 miles away from the Hub — into thriving fund-raiser and one of the Boston’s wildest and most innovative parties.

The Great American Party was created by Haavisto and Malone nine years ago with one keg of beer, a group of friends and just enough space in their South Boston, Mass., apartment for everyone to get a view of the race.

By the third year, the event was moved to (the now-closed) Brother Jimmy’s bar in Harvard Square. It was at Brother Jimmy’s where a charity component, the “Miss NASCAR” award and the Mustache contest were all born. The crew also decided to switch up the venue each year — since then, the party has been held at:

• The Harp, Year 4
• Paddy O’s, Year 5
• The Greatest Bar, Year 6
• Game On!, Year 7
• Landsdowne Pub, Year 8

The event has raised more than $50,000 for such charities as the Make-a-Wish Foundation, The Home for Little Wanderers, MSPCA, First Descents and Cradles to Crayons.

As a result of the Great American Party’s success, a second theme party in 2008 called, “The Great American Derby” was born.

This year’s party is expected to be the biggest yet, with Jerry Remy’s Sports Bar and Grill in the shadows of Fenway Park playing host on Sunday, Feb. 20. Doors open at 11 a.m. and the annual toast will be given at 12 p.m., sharp.

NESN’s New England Spotlight team will be on scene to film the event, so be sure to stop by and show off your stache and give your best Ricky Bobby impersonation.

Below is a copy of the promotion:

Ladies and Gentlemen… START YOUR ENGINES!!!

The Great American Party is back for our 9th annual all-day extravaganza on Sunday, Feb. 20 at Jerry Remy’s Sports Bar & Grill!

As always, the Mustache and Miss NASCAR Contests will highlight a day filled with good friends, good beer, and of course, the Daytona 500! Doors open at 11 a.m. with the annual toast at 12 p.m. sharp. Ladies, we want to see plenty of tank tops, trucker hats, and faded denim. Gents, we need some creative facial hair and a flame-retardant jump suit’s always a winner!

$10 at the door will get you access to this premier event where you’re sure to rub elbows with various professional sports celebrities, personalities, politicians, and many surprise guests! Raffle tickets will be sold along with the chance to bid on fantastic silent auction prizes. Remember, 100 percent of proceeds will be donated to The Greg Hill Foundation and your generosity is always appreciated!

Random stuff:

• $2.50 beer specials from Budweiser, we’ll have “Daytona Draft” on-tap all day long
• NASCAR-themed food buffet
• A special thanks to our friends at Thompson International Speedway for donating an actual stock car to be parked outside Remy’s during the event! They’ll also be on location with plenty of giveaways to all our guests
• For more information about the charity, please visit thegreghillfoundation.org (The Greg Hill Foundation responds to immediate requests for assistance, to improve the lives of local families touched by tragedy, through matching the charitable donation of Greg’s media audience)
• We’re expecting roughly 500 people so please get there early!