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A bingo night sponsored by the San Benito County Chamber of Commerce drew dozens of players to Mad Pursuit Brewing Company in Hollister on July 22.
About 70 people competed in 10 games for cash rewards and raffle prizes in a bid to shine a light on the city’s downtown businesses.
According to Chamber CEO Kendra Baron, this was the sixth time her group has sponsored a bingo night, which has been alternating between Mad Pursuit and The Barn in Tres Pinos. Baron said small businesses donated the prizes as a way of giving back to the community.
“It’s a way to promote Mad Pursuit as a small business,” she said. “We want people to come and mingle. It brings the businesses and the community together and gives people something else to do in our town.”
Hollister resident Kathrine Filice said she was initially invited to bingo night by her friends Brian and Jeanie Yamaoka, who are members of the Chamber. She said she enjoys the game and has been attending the event on a monthly basis.
“I’ve played on cruise ships before,” she said, “and I played at The Barn. I usually go with my friends, and we enjoy being able to spend time together this way.”
Filice said she won one round in the most recent event, and had won three times the previous month, which she said was “kind of amazing.”
“I think this is great for the community,” she said. “It gets the business leaders and other people out and getting to know each other.”
Hollister resident Margot Tankersley has attended six bingo nights and said she is a friend of Mad Pursuit owner Alex DeLeon.
“It’s a fantastic place,” she said, “because they have a great assortment and I love all the sour beers. I have won gift certificates, wine and candy before, but I really like being able to socialize with friends.”
Mad Pursuit employee Tori Yamaoka came in with her family to play on her night off and won the third game.
“I figured I would come and see everyone and say hi,” she said. “This is my first time coming to bingo night, and it’s so much fun. Everyone’s just excited to try to get their spots called, and they are getting to know each other.”
Hollister resident Autumn Salinas said she heard about bingo night from her cousin, Jodi Nava, and has tried to attend every month when she can.
“It’s just the environment,” she said. “I like being out, socializing with people and supporting the chamber and the local places that host it.”
Salinas said she won the fourth game this time and has also won on other nights. She said she takes pleasure in seeing other people win as well.
“It brings a lot of joy to people,” she said. “You get to see everyone come together and be excited for the one person who wins. It brings people together to have a good time during the summer.”
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