The 26th annual Worldwide Toast to Harry Caray was led by actor Jason Alexander, along with SNL's Chris Kattan, James Denton, Ryan Dempster, Ron Kittle, Grant and Joanna DePorter and others. (Photo courtesy of Harry Caray's)
Fans arrived early, 4:45 a.m., to participate in the 26th annual Worldwide Toast to Harry Caray on May 2nd at Harry Caray’s Tavern on Navy Pier. The event honored the 26th anniversary of the passing of famed sportscaster Harry Caray. This year’s event paid homage to all things cow-related and was themed around Harry’s famous catchphrase: “Holy Cow!”
A tiny fan greets an 800 lb. Black Angus cow that was brought to the event by Bill Hook, principal of Chicago High School for Cultural Sciences. (Photo | Harry Caray's)
“Seinfeld” actor Jason Alexander led the toast (at 5:30 p.m.) along with “Saturday Night Live” comedian Chris Kattan; former Harry Caray’s server turned star of “Desperate Housewives” and “Good Witch” James Denton; former Cubs pitcher Ryan Dempster and White Sox legend Ron Kittle, among others.
The gang's all here for the 26th annual Worldwide Toast to Harry Caray. (Photo | Harry Caray's)
Many guests attended dressed in their best cow attire, ringing cowbells and tipping cowboy hats. Keeping with the cow moo-tif, this year also marked the 25th Anniversary of the 1999 Chicago-based art installation “Cows on Parade” which featured over 300 life-size fiberglass cows around the city. Harry Caray’s Restaurant Group maintains the largest collection of original cows from the installation with five in total. Several of the original sculptures from the painted herd were on display at the restaurant for the event including “Holy Cow!”, “Mooving Eli”, “End of the Parade” and more.
Actor Jason Alexander, who is appearing at The Chicago Shakespeare Theater for the world premiere of "Judgment Day," served as toastmaster for the event. (Photo | Harry Caray's)
Bill Hook, Principal of Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences, took on the roll of cow-ordinator corralling two 800 lb Black Angus cows to Harry Caray’s Tavern to partake in the morning’s festivities. A special cow pen was created on-site allowing the benevolent bovines to remain on the restaurant’s patio for guests to view and take photos with during the event that began at 4:45 a.m. and ended around 6:30 p.m.
Dutchie Caray, Harry's widow and the "First Lady of Baseball," along with Beth Heller, Grant and Joanna DePorter and many others, at the toast to Harry. (Photo | Harry Caray's)
The Score’s Parkins & Spiegel Show broadcast live from the Toast from 4p– 7pm. At exactly 5:30, the toast was shared around the world with all the fans raising a Budweiser to Harry and his unforgettable catchphrase that continues to unite us all.
Over the years, more than five million fans from all 50 states and over 150 countries have joined in the annual tribute to the legendary baseball broadcaster.
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