Princeton Waiters Race Returns July 14

Princeton, NJ -- Local wait staff will put their tray-balancing skills to the test at the Princeton Merchants Association’s sixth annual Waiters Race on Thursday, July 14, 4 p.m. at Palmer Square by the Green.

Waiters and waitresses from Princeton area restaurants will race while balancing two full glasses of water and a full BAI Beverage bottle on their trays. The winners will take home cash, prizes and bragging rights for the next year.

According to the Merchants Association, 15 restaurants competed in last year’s event, and it expects many to come back for this year’s race. There were a total of 70 racers, the highest number of participants to this point.

Last year’s participants included: Agricola, Alchemist & Barrister, Blue Point Grill, Cross Culture, Eno Terra, Ivy Inn, Jammin’ Crepes, Main Street Bistro, McCaffrey’s, Mediterra, Princeton Soup & Sandwich, Teresa Caffe, Tiger Noodles, Witherspoon Grill and the Yankee Doodle Tap Room. Triumph Brewery and Chez Alice have also confirmed that they are returning this year to race.

1. 1st Place: $350 cash, weekend overnight stay at the Nassau Inn, bottle of bubbly, cooler, gift cards to local restaurants, and other great prizes.
2. 2nd Place: $200 cash, bottle of bubbly, cooler, gift cards to local restaurants, and other great prizes.
3. 3rd Place: $100 cash, bottle of bubbly, cooler, gift cards to local restaurants, and other great prizes.

(Prizes have a total value of over $3,200)

“Each year our field of competitors grows as does the popularity and attendance of this event,” Princeton Merchants Association President John Marshall said.

The race course alternates between the Princeton Shopping Center and Palmer Square.

“We return to Palmer Square in 2016 where competitors will once again feel the pain of Heartbreak Hill; leg three of the Square course through which only the best go on to finish,” Marshall said. “We also will find out if two-time men’s champion, Yankee Doodle Tap Room’s own John Ryan, can reclaim the men’s crown. The PMA Waiters’ Race has definitely become a summer must-attend event in Princeton.”

Top sponsors for this year’s race include: BAI Beverage, Joycards, MacLean Agency, McCaffrey’s, Nassau Inn, Palmer Square Management, Terra Momo Restaurant Group (Mediterra, Teresa Caffe & Eno Terra) and JM Group (Witherspoon Grill, Blue Point Grill, Nassau Street Seafood and Princeton Farmers’ Market). Other Sponsors include: Agricola, Alchemist & Barrister, Arts Council of Princeton, The Bent Spoon, Chez Alice, D’ Angelo Italian Market, Hamilton Jewelers, Ivy Inn, Jammin’ Crepes, La Jolie Salon & Spa, Lindt, Main Street Bistro and Café, Monday Morning Flowers, Olives, PNC Bank, Princeton Printers, The Orvis Company, Road ID, Princeton University Store, Small World Coffee, Smith’s Ace Hardware, Tico’s Eatery & Juice Bar, Triumph Brewing Company & Whole Earth Center.

Those interested in participating need to pre-register. The fee is $20. Six participants are allowed to register from each local restaurant. All participants will receive an official race day t-shirt and goodie bag.

For further information about the Waiters’ Race, contact PMA President John Marshall, Main Street Bistro, president@princetonmerchants.org or Laura Estey, Assistant General Manager, Witherspoon Grill, waitersraceprincetonnj@gmail.com.

The attached flyer was provided by the Princeton Merchants Association