LVHRD Foundation Warriors for the Vending Machine Challenge Monday October 17, 2005 Pioneer Bar EAT ‘EM AND SMILE Written by Janet Perisa Photographed by Mary Blanco

I remember it distinctively; photographer, Mary Blanco calling me on a late Monday afternoon and asking me if I would like to accompany her on a shoot for a vending machine eating contest at the Pioneer bar in the Bowery. My initial thoughts were that this had to have been some sort of New York Cool gag and that she was totally pulling my chain (yes, my co-contributors do lean towards the “unconventional” side).

So the story goes, I head down there around 8pm only to find Mary photographing a bunch of dudes clad in white and yellow space suits… very interesting I thought to myself. Suddenly, from behind, a posse of screaming demons begins chanting in unison: Team Red…Team Red…Team Red…. I took a quick and thorough scan of the joint and arrived at the conclusion that this was no joke—I was about to witness the first-ever, food vending machine eating contest in the history of the city that never falls short of inventing creatively kooky ways to have a real kick-ass time.

The event, hosted by the LVHRD Foundation, was a challenge between the NYC Ballet Company’s ballerinas and the J. Walter Advertising Firm. Both teams had to chow-down the entire contents of a vending machine and the team that finished first (and kept it down) was the champion. But before the ballerinas and the ad whizzes had their chance to duke it out, an exhibition match took place between Counts Media Inc. (yellow arrow) and Studio Red at Rockwell Group.

It was complete mayhem; opponents ripped through bags of Doritos and Skittles like grizzly beasts invading a campsite. Chocolate bars, cookies, candies, you name it; the competitors had to scarf down every bit, including pieces that dropped to the floor. The winning teams included Studio Red for the exhibition and J Walter for the main event. When the events finished, competitors walked away in delicious shades of sallow while patrons walked off with and smiles on their faces and a helluva story to tell at work the next day.

The Pioneer Bar is located at 218 Bowery in New York City.
To learn of future events hosted by the LVHRD Foundation, log on to: www.lvhrd.com