Homecoming parade spectators are in for a treat this year with multiple bar specials along the route. Along the route, which will start at 7th Street and wind to the O’Brien Stadium, there will be plenty of bars open and ready to greet the parade goers with beer and breakfasts.

The Panther Paw Bar and Grill opens its’ doors 8 a.m. on Saturday and will serve free breakfast while supplies last. Domestic cans and jager bombs will be on special, as well as $4.00 zoo’s.

“We’ll be having $20 domestic towers on Friday,” said Mike Clayton, Panther Paw’s general manager. “Last year we served up about $13,000 in food for the free breakfast and this year will be about the same.”

Lefty’s Holler will open at 7 a.m. on Saturday with a Southern Comfort trailer outside serving up Soco Hurricanes. Inside, for $3.25 you can keep the mug and bring it back for $2.25 refills. There will also be $2.75 16 oz. Miller Light and $2.75 shots of Soco Lime or Rocky Mountains.

Kahuna’s will open at 8 a.m. with a DJ and beer breakfast. Some of the specials are $2 domestic bottles, $8 UV Blue pitchers, $4 Miller Light pitches, $2 shot specials.

Katie Copenhauer, General Manager of Kahuna’s, is excited for the Homecoming specials and all of the new specials.

“We actually just redid all of the bar specials last week, which now include things like ‘Theme Thursdays’ and on Wednesdays we have ‘power hour pitcher specials,'” Copenhauer said.

Roc’s Blackfront Restaurant and Lounge will open at 9 a.m., Bloody Mary’s. On Friday, the band Rockbottom will play at 10 p.m. at the Top of the Roc. Mike Knoop, Roc’s owner, promises a good time for all.

“Roc’s has a great environment and we will attract a lot of alumni and locals for Homecoming,” Knoop said. “Everyone always has a good time.”

Uptowner is also on the parade route this year, opening at 8 a.m. for Homecoming with drink specials, also including build your own Bloody Mary.

Staff Blues and Little Boy Jr. will play Saturday night at Mad Hatters. Specials will include $2.75 screwdrivers and $3.50 Bloody Mary’s. Todd Edgar, co-owner of Mad Hatters, enjoys this time of the year.

“I always look forward to seeing the alumni and students at Mad Hatters,” Edgar said.

Megan Tkacy can be reached at 581-7942 or metkacy@eiu.edu.