Forest Park Public Works
Team members:
Joe Decosola, Dylan Ryan, Paul Richards, Steve Knysch, Paul Richards, Evan Braniff
Years in the Casket Races:
Two
Casket Theme:
Public Works Pick-Up Truck
Something weird, spooky or funny about your Team and/or Casket:
We built it from scratch with no experience. It has flashing lights like a real Public Works truck
Best thing about the Forest Park Casket Races:
The community coming together for a fun event
Team’s Favorite Forest Park dining spot:
Fiore/Cactus Grill toss up
Post-race victory celebration:
Pizza Party!
Hurry, Hurry Hippos
Team members:
Ginger Bencola, Kelly Bencola, Christy Cutts, Marie MacBain, Emily Wolfkiel, and Jeff Sandler
Years in the Casket Races:
Five
Casket Theme:
Hurry, Hurry Hippos
Something weird, spooky or funny about your Team and/or Casket:
Our casket is cursed… every year we have spray glue injuries during our prep days!
Best thing about the Forest Park Casket Races:
The Casket Race is a full-year event for our team: recovery from the previous year, off-season brainstorming, getting the casket detailed and decorated, and training the next generation of casket racers. We also love the energy of the crowd, especially when they start chanting for us. It gives us the competitive edge.
Team’s Favorite Forest Park dining spot:
Mexican Republic
Post-race victory celebration:
After we give all of our kids rides in the casket, we’ll add our trophy to our collection and start planning for next year!
Team Doss
Team members:
Jack Doss, Fred Calvert, Brady Ryan, Danny Bockavich, Emily Strharsky.
Years in the Casket Races:
One
Casket Theme:
Register to vote!!
Something weird, spooky or funny about your Team and/or Casket:
The awareness of registering to vote with a spooky twist!
Best thing about the Forest Park Casket Races:
We love seeing all the families out enjoying a community event! Also, some of the best parties along the street.
Team’s Favorite Forest Park dining spot:
The Golden Steer, Goldyburgers.
Post-race victory celebration:
An afternoon in the beer garden at Goldyburgers!
The Running Jakes
Team members:
Mark Hanson, Kyle Casey, Sam Klegon, Luis Anaya, Javonte Keys, Lauren Macaulay
Years in the Casket Races:
Two
Casket Theme:
Jake from State Farm
Something weird, spooky or funny about your Team and/or Casket:
We almost killed one of our team members last year. We will be ready to run this year.
Best thing about the Forest Park Casket Races:
The crowds and energy. Seeing all the kids.
Team’s Favorite Forest Park dining spot:
Subtender and O’Sullivan’s
Post-race victory celebration:
Coors Light and a champaign shower
Golden Ghouls
Park District of Forest Park
Team members:
Ryan Vilanova, Andre Steward, Micah O’Neal,
AJ Jamison, Molly Allen (in the casket)
Years in the Casket Races:
Eight
Casket Theme:
Shady “Pines” – Golden Girls
Something weird, spooky or funny about your Team and/or Casket:
We are calling it shady pines because of the purchase of the Harrison street Property, The Pines business.
Best thing about the Forest Park Casket Races:
We enjoy the team building amongst our staff.
Team’s Favorite Forest Park dining spot:
Duck Fat or O’Sullivan’s
Post-race victory celebration:
Possibly one of the above choices.
Bulldog Bootcamp and Crossfit
Team members:
Michael Brown, Patrick Moreno, Stacie Kern, Brian Mullaghy, Amber Kardosh-Driver
Years in the Casket Races:
First year
Casket Theme:
Dead Bulldog
Something weird, spooky or funny about your Team and/or Casket:
Our Dead Bulldog Skeleton Hood Ornament!
Best thing about the Forest Park Casket Races:
It’s a great way to get outside with the community, and great entertainment for the kids.
Team’s Favorite Forest Park dining spot:
Exit Strategy
Post-race victory celebration:
A round of beers at Exit Strategy!
The Dead Last
Team members:
Ian Pfaff, Dave Ksander, Todd Beyer, Mike Ewing, Matt Penetti
Years in the Casket Races:
Two
Casket Theme:
Franken-Stein: A machine that uses Frankenstein’s
blood to power the engine and serve delicious drinks.
Something weird, spooky or funny about your
Team and/or Casket:
Well… We’re gonna make it look like our casket is actually powered by Frankenstein’s blood and that we drink it too
(In a G-rated family-friendly kind of way)
Best thing about the Forest Park Casket Races:
Everything about it is the best! Just the fact that FP does it is one of the main reasons why we love Forest Park so much.
It’s a fun, unique and a great time to let grown-ups
have a good time.
Team’s Favorite Forest Park dining spot:
It’s a toss-up – Louie’s for Breakfast, Mexican Republic for Dinner – Goldyburger’s for everything else
Post-race victory celebration:
We’re having a big BBQ in our backyard a block away from the race. Everyone’s invited! 418 Thomas.
