The annual Butler Bulldog Crawl event hosted by the Central Indiana Alumni Community returns to campus on Friday, June 26, featuring many returning favorites along with four new vendors: ClusterTruck, Cotton Candy University, Kona Ice, and Social Cantina. Featured stops on this year’s Crawl include the Efroymson Center for Creative Writing, Irvington House, the Gallahue Hall Lower Level Atrium, and Nursing and PA labs in the Sciences Complex.
Since the inaugural event in 2016, the Bulldog Crawl has been providing Butler alumni and friends a chance to visit campus, tour new or recently updated spaces, and enjoy food and beverages from many alumni-owned or operated business partners. This year’s Crawl will feature a special focus on Butler’s sustainability initiatives, including an opportunity for guests to view some of the nearly 11 acres of campus that have been converted to native plantings since 2015.
Butler’s Nursing program just completed its inaugural year, and students will be on hand in the Nursing and PA lab space to share more about the program and answer guest questions about how the labs are used.
In the Efroymson Center for Creative Writing, guests will have the chance to see inside what was once Butler’s presidential residence and is now home to Butler’s MFA program in Creative Writing. And finally, at Irvington House, attendees will have the opportunity to tour the residential space for first-year students, play pool or ping-pong, and get a glimpse of on-campus living for current Bulldogs.
Returning crowd-favorite vendors include: Ash & Elm Cider Co., Bon Appetit, DeBrand Fine Chocolates, Guggman Haus Brewing, HotBox Pizza, Julian Coffee Roasters, MJ’s Baking Boutique, Shake Up, and Upland Brewing. Bill Sonner ‘82 and wife Lori Sonner are Operating Partners at DeBrand Fine Chocolates of Indianapolis and have been participating vendors at the Crawl since 2018. Bill said the Crawl is a great chance to connect with old and new Butler friends.
“Eight years ago, we had just completed our first run of holidays as owner-operators of DeBrand Fine Chocolates of Indianapolis,” Bill said. “When approached to participate in our first Crawl in 2018, it was so comfortable, like visiting family. Anytime we have a chance to be on campus, we love the opportunity. We’re always so proud to tell people we are a Butler-alum owned and operated, Indianapolis-based company. In addition to us, our daughter Hannah, who is the holder of three Butler degrees, has helped with the business along the way. It truly is a family affair.”
Registration for this year’s event is now open here and includes food, beverages, and parking. Space is limited, and last year’s event sold out.