Help Fund Upgrades for the 2025 Starwood Mojito Party

Hi my name is Mark Stucker, I've been a part of the Cincinnati Starwood scene for the last 22 years. On my 6th year in 2008 we decided to have a small party and make some Mojitos. About 10 people came, made mojitos, then made more……they were well received. We decided to do it again the next year with two bottles of Limon Bacardi rum, for some reason even though people were being asked to help make the mojitos, it was still a big hit. It happened the next year, then the next year…...by 2011 we were calling it an annual event.

Mojito party archives 2008-2024

In 2014 major storms brought the main 20 x 30 tarp down twice, the 2nd time ripping it up. The following year I created a Gofundme to raise $700 for a new tarp with solar power, lighting and a better design. It's held up through many a storm especially once we adopted Bedouin nomad tent principles based on input from Billy Woods.

However, it was discovered in 2024 during a rainstorm (luckily not during the party) that the tarp was leaking all over like a sieve. The plastic was flaking off through UV exposure and 10 years of use, it had finally worn out. I realized we needed to say goodbye to it and find a new one for the next year

Well, that next year is here and I'm seeking to raise $375 to fund renewing and upgrading the “Tarp Mahal” for the 2025 mojito party.

This is what that funding will get us?

• a new heavy duty 16mil 20x30 white tarp for the TarpMahal!

• four replacement heavy duty 8 ft. aluminum poles (Each year we lose 2 or more poles to storm winds or general wear and tear. )

• two 10ft. center poles to replace ailing ones in the middle.

• four more heavy duty 12'inch heavy duty fan shaped stakes so that all the stakes will be of this same caliber to withstand rain soaked ground in high wind storm situations.

• 16 new high visibility ropes (reducing trip hazards) for poles and short bungee cords to aid in the design having more give in high winds.

• a second stone mortar and pistil. Party wise it was decided our big bottle neck in cranking out mojitos was the single muddling station that took twice as long as any other station to properly complete its task. So this will add a 2nd one so we don’t compromise on quality and hopefully double the number of mojitos per hour we turn out.

If I had deep pockets I'd fund this replacement & upgrade myself, but I don't. It’s already an expense providing the rum and basic supplies etc. I’m hoping if you might have an extra $5 or $10 (price of a drink) we can easily crowd source these needed elements.

Once we have the funds I will initiate the buy and clue everyone in on progress. This will need to be done two weeks before Starwood by June 29th.

There are other ways you can help if you are cash strapped or underfunded. No problem, I've been there and know that situation. If you may have time on your hand please get the word out and share this fund raising link to any interested parties. I'm also always needing to enlist help as usual midday on Monday at Starwood at Wisteria putting the Tarp Mahal up. Then later on Thursday, the day of the party, prepping and decorating for it. Then the day afterward cleaning up after the carnage. Also helpful, should a storm arise, come help (and also be sheltered) deal in the moment with any structural issues that might arise with the mighty force of the wind spirits.

Can’t wait to see everyone and once again as a community we serve up the most delicious thirst quenching, love and shenanigan inducing Mojitos in the entire Orion Arm, Quadrant 1 of the local Universe!!!