Hundreds try to reclaim Bloody Mary toast title at Milaeger's, from 'some place in Florida'

RACINE -- It was a bloody good time on Super Bowl Sunday in Racine, where hundreds turned out to celebrate the World's Largest Bloody Mary Toast. Almost 2,000 people raised a glass at Milaeger's, but it was not quite enough to break the record.

"I mean Florida? It doesn't seem right," Kara Kading, director of events at Milaeger's said.

The friendly competition inspires the Milaeger family to host a toast for the books each winter.

"Some place down in Florida, Madeira Beach, they put on a big festival and they broke our record. It was so heartbreaking -- so we got it back last year," Kading said.

Until that "place in Florida" beat the faithful Bloody Mary drinkers again in October.

"We need to own this title. We want it back and it means a lot to us," Kading said.

Roughly 2,500 people were needed to snag the title back on Sunday, Feb. 4. Despite the weekend snowstorm, hundreds of locals poured into Milaeger's with bloodies in hand, and took part in the festivities.

"It's just so gratifying. We're elated this many people turned out," Kris Reisdorf, Milaeger's owner said.

"This year we said, 'We're in. We're all in!' It's weather. It's Wisconsin. You can't predict when it's going to happen, so let's just enjoy it," Chris Forsman, participant said.

"This community is all about supporting one another. It's just like family, and I think Racine has a very strong family mentality," Nick Ramsey, participant said.

While Milaeger's fell about 500 people short of reclaiming the record, they are submitting for a new one -- Largest Bloody Mary Toast during a Snowstorm!

Super Bowl Sunday 2018 marked Milaeger's third annual Bloody Mary toast. Since it has been such a hit, the family says they plan to continue the tradition each winter.