NORFOLK, Neb. -- Friends and family over the age of 21 will have the opportunity to give it their all. 

For a cause close to hearts. 

"Our group of friends have lost a lot of young people recently, and we were tired of getting together at just funerals,” said Cecelia Smith, owner of Hank and Snook's Mint Bar. “We thought, let's put something together, the community can kind of get together, still remember those people that we've lost, but enjoy ourselves.”

A group in Norfolk is putting together the first annual Bar Olympics. Participants will get the opportunity to team up in teams of four. The main events include pool, darts, shuffleboard, bags and the group event - axe throwing.

Each team will represent a lost loved one.

“We've kind of, specifically closer to home, lost one of our bartenders that worked here,” said Smith. “So, it kind of started the whole event.”

Ty Eberhardt, a former bartender at The Mint, passed away in a drowning accident back in 2023. 

“He was a brother to a lot of people,” said Smith. "He's kind of had that personality that really just shined. Something like this would be right up his alley."

Proceeds from the event will be donated to the Norfolk Family Coalition. Smith hopes they can pick a new charity every year.

“We kind of picked the Norfolk Family Coalition because they do a large array of things for the community, especially with kids and families,” said Smith. “And we thought that would be a great way to honor everyone that we've lost.”

Festivities begin on Saturday, June 22, with registration beginning at 11:30 a.m. at the District Event Center. Be sure to reach out to Smith at The Mint Bar to sign up your team.