Urban Detox Looking for Ultimate Party Crasher

The business proposal was first pitched after a night of clubbing. Josh Simon, Dayton Miller and Alex Hughes had been enjoying a weekend night at a bar on Sunset Boulevard when the idea of a hangover fix first came up.

"Someone had said that it'd be cool if we had some sort of a cure for hangovers," Simon said. What started almost jokingly has now resulted in a line of drinks called Urban Detox.

Hughes, an orthopedic surgeon, began conducting experiments in his own home lab that eventually led to the creation of beverage company Function Drinks.  The company says the Urban Detox bottled drinks contain powerful antioxidants that help the body recover from hangovers.

To generate publicity for Urban Detox, Redondo Beach-based Function is holding a contest to find a "Party Crasher."

The Party Crasher must be willing to crash 100 parties in 100 days, from Memorial Day to Labor Day. If the Party Crasher completes this mission he or she will receive a $10,000 reward.

Simon said the company has seen a wide variety of potential partygoers among the 500-plus Party Crasher applicants.

"I certainly expected a lot of people in their 20s, college students or recent college grads to apply, but I have been surprised by the number of parents or adults who want to participate," Simon said.

He said the submissions include people standing in front of their cameras pleading their case for the job, an improvising break-dancer and a father who sent photographs of himself with his children at various barbeques and beach parties to show that he's "partying in his own way."

"We're getting all kinds of videos and there are a lot of crazy people out there and there are also a lot of really awesome people," said Pearl Wible, Function's director of marketing and brand. "The Internet never fails to surprise you."

Party Crasher hopefuls must submit their applications to the company by May 21. Finalists' submissions will be posted on the Internet and the public will get a chance to vote.

The Party Crasher will document his or her party experiences on a blog. Function Drinks will supply the Party Crasher with parking money, a camera and an unlimited supply of Urban Detox for the 100 nights of partying.

Function Drinks' web site for the campaign, www.functionpartycrasher.com, points out that the company is looking for particularly outgoing personalities to take on the job.

"The goal is to be a benevolent patron saint of party, rather than the obnoxious dude standing near the punch bowl tossing out stale one-liners lifted from Jay Leno's monologue," the web site says.

Function Drinks are available at Target and Whole Foods stores nationwide, and locally can be purchased at CVS, Ralphs and Bristol Farms.