CARIBOU, Maine — Skaters sped across the Burger Boy parking lot on Aug. 7, taking orders and delivering food for customers during the first car hop of the year.
This marks the third year in a row the restaurant has held car hops, and three more are planned for Aug. 14, 21, and 28, or each Wednesday of the month, from 4:30 to 8 p.m.
Burger Boy owner Spenser Ouellette said this is the first year of holding the event on Wednesdays, as it was held on Mondays in previous years.
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- The Aroostook Roller Derby BiohazARDs served up food to Burger Boy customers during the first car hop of the year on Aug. 7. Pictured here, from left, are skaters Sarah Sutherland, a.k.a. “Valkyrie”, Janet Bosse, a.k.a. “Sprockett”, and Stephanie Ball, a.k.a. “Trauma Doll.” (Chris Bouchard)
Ouellette said he hopes the change in date will bring in more people, adding that it’s more convenient for him to attend in the middle of the week.
“I’m usually downstate on Mondays and Tuesdays taking care of my other businesses, and also around family,” he said. “That’s why I’ve juggled things around this year. It’s also a busier part of the week so when we’re doing fundraisers it helps us raise more money for the organizations we’re working with.”
For the Aug. 7 car hop, Ouellette said proceeds will go directly to the Aroostook Roller Derby team BiohazARDs, supporting costs associated with traveling to bouts and renting out the Melody Roller Rink for practice sessions.
Jay Olson, a coach for the team, said he is giving away two tickets every Wednesday for their upcoming bout on Aug. 31 at the Caribou Wellness and Recreation Center.
“Doors open at five,” Olson said, “so come early and bring chairs. They also have an upstairs walking path where people can sit and get a good view of the game.”
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- The Aroostook Roller Derby BiohazARDs served up food to Burger Boy customers during the first car hop of the year on Aug. 7. Skaters pictured from left are Jasmine Olson, a.k.a. “Tigger”, and Jay Olson, a.k.a. “Noslo.” (Chris Bouchard)
The team will face off against the Northwood Knockouts, based in Bangor, who defeated the Aroostook Roller Derby during their last home bout in Caribou.
“They beat us last time, so this is a revenge game,” said Olson. “We’re trying to beat them this time so we can feel like we’re kings and queens again.”
Sarah Sutherland, also known as “Valkyrie,” has been with the Aroostook Roller Derby for nearly four years, and said she has taken part in every car hop held at the restaurant.
Sutherland has a background in waitressing and bartending, and finds it natural to skate and carry a tray without any issues. She recommends that anyone who isn’t used to carrying trays on skates start out with sneakers.
Whitney Taggart, known through derby as “Chaos,” has been with the team for about two years, and participated in last year’s car hop.
Taggart said the key to carrying food on skates is maintaining balance.
“Get rid of the drinks first and then deliver the food,” she said. “The drinks can be a lot more tippy, but at least the food is in a cardboard container.”
Ouellette anticipates that the car hop will get busier throughout the month as the event gains more traction.
“It ties in with our ‘50s and’ 60s theme,” he said of the car hop. “People always talk about memories of coming in with their families back then, so it’s a pretty cool concept to bring that back to the County.”
Burger Boy will close for the season on Sept. 3.
