Buffalo Hash Hound Harriers

by queenseyes

If you were on Elmwood yesterday afternoon, chances are you ran into this group of fun lovin' folks whose motto is, "A Drinking Club With A Running Problem". I bumped into the jovial crew as they spilled out of JP Bullfeathers, and just had to follow them as they took off 'running' down Bird Avenue. I caught up with them a block away and asked what sort of club they were (a few matching shirts gave them away), and if I could snap a photo. They were totally psyched, to say the least. The group made a deal with me that if they let me take their photo I would have to join them for a beer at their next destination. That sounded fine to me, so I took the photo and we all headed over to Mr. Goodbar so I could find out what the devil was going on with this unusual group of lads and lasses.

Apparently I was cavorting with the Buffalo Hash Hound Harriers (BH3s). Sounds pretty cool, but what on earth is the gist of hashing? Or hounding? Or harriers for that matter? Well, the group hails from Buffalo, that was crystal clear. At any given time they number between 75-80 active members... and are always looking for new recruits (must be 21). Hashing is a sport/past time that requires a small stamina for running and a large retention for drinking beer. Hounds are the runners who spend the day chasing the prize or 'down-downs'. And harriers are persistent attackers (same as hounds) that will not rest until the goal is obtained. 'Down-downs' are beers AKA the prize, that can always be found at the race's finish line. The race is set by the 'hares' that map out a trail (starts at the on-on) of markers, that the 'hounds' must follow. There is a different race set every other week during the winter months and every week when the weather is nice. The next race takes place in two weeks in East Aurora.

Yesterday's race started at Goodbar, trailed through Delaware Park, and ended up back at Goodbar. The 'hairs' that set the course spent the earlier part of the day devising directional traps and preparing Jell-O shots to throw off the scent of the 'hounds'. The Hash is held at a different location every time, and 'hounds' come from all over the region to attend. Need a visual? Just try to picture the scene from the movie Stripes when the Sergeant asks if the platoon coming down the hill is his, and the Lieutenant answers, "No sir, here comes your troop now." Of course that troop was led by John Candy, and all hell ensued as they careened through the course that lay ahead. Following that scene, Candy's gang found themselves in a mud-wrestling ring celebrating the trials and tribulations of the day... and that's where hashers often find themselves as well.

Down Down Song
Here's to ... ... he's true blue,
He's a hasher through and through
He's a pisspot so they say,
He tried to get to heaven,
But he went the other way!
Drink it down down down down,
down, down, down, down, down,
Why are we waiting, why are we waiting ... ...

Yesterday's post-race festivities included singing bizarre drinking songs, drinking beer out of 'new' pairs of sneakers, raucous initiations, a ritual involving circle formations and the virgin naming rights. Oh, I can't forget about the 'down-downs' that make an appearance no matter what the current activity entails. If a hasher wears a hat while in the circle, then he or she must drink a beer. If you're a virgin hasher then you drink a beer. Late for the hash? Drink a 'down-down'. The evening is also fair game for lewd songs that signal different hashers to drink 'penalty drinks', but only when certain lyrics are sung. Believe it or not, these songs make Irish drinking ballads sound like children's lullabies. So if you don't have a penchant for the ‘down-downs' and good-natured verbal assaults, I suggest you look for another recreation. But if you are looking for a day of debauchery surrounded by a fun-lovin' crew of 'wholesome hashers', then sign yourself up for a guaranteed good time. Sidenote: After each hash event the members go out for dinner and do not go near an automobile.

If you would like to know more about the BH3s, check out their website. There you will find schedules, songs, stats, members, etc. Just remember...

The Hash House Harriers have their roots in pre War Kuala Lumpur, and derive their name from the Selangor Club Chambers, a clubhouse that served such awful food that it was referred to as the Hash House. All 1500+ hashes around the world today can trace their origins back to the mother Hash as Hashers (or Harriets) moved on from one country to another spawning new groups.

Don't wear your 'new' sneakers or you'll be drinking out of them at the post hash partay!