March 29, 2024

The Cellar offers another year of Friday night fun

Next post-game event scheduled Sept. 16

COLFAX — When the Colfax-Mingo football team plays Friday home games, it means students will be filling the bleachers to cheer on their fellow classmates. It also means The Cellar returns as an option for Tigerhawk high school students looking for a safe and social place to hang with friends after the game.

The First Baptist Church of Colfax becomes a hot spot after Friday night home games, because in the basement of the church is a community room with air hockey, pool and foosball tables, music, competition games, free food and soda. On most nights there are even competition games when kids can win prizes.

The room known as The Cellar typically attracts 70 to 90 high school students each event.

Phil Butler, pastor of the First Baptist Church, said the event has proven success, creating a trustworthy and welcoming environment for Friday night gatherings. Butler is also the youth pastor and a substitute bus driver, so he knows many of the kids who go through the C-M School District.

“Generally, the kids are well behaved and it’s an enjoyable time,” Butler said. “It’s an enjoyable time for the kids but it’s fun for the adults as well.”

Members of the church typically volunteer as chaperones when The Cellar is open and bring snacks for the kids. The church has a youth fund they use for the event, but thrives off of donations and support they receive from various businesses and members of the community.

“We appreciate the community’s support, and we appreciate the kids’ support too. The kids are respectful of the property,” Butler said. “It’s been a very good experience. We’ve had people in community give to us and tell us they are appreciative that we have it.”

The Cellar opened about 25 years ago and starts directly following C-M home variety football games. Closing shortly before midnight, students usually leave with a full stomach, and at times, prizes. At the end of the season, Butler said, a drawing is held as kids put their names on tickets which are selected out of a bucket. The prizes are often donated by members of the church or local businesses.

The Tigerhawks play Belle Plaine this Friday at home. Other home games this season are Sept. 30 and Oct. 14. The Cellar will be open on all dates.

Contact Alex Olp
aolp@jasperocuntytribune.com