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The end of an era

With nostalgia in their hearts and entire bottles of Aqua Net in their hair, it seemed most of the islanders came out to bid the Bowen Island Pub a farewell.

With nostalgia in their hearts and entire bottles of Aqua Net in their hair, it seemed most of the islanders came out to bid the Bowen Island Pub a farewell. Whether they were born in the '80s or were actually there, no social barriers existed as bettys, soches, punks and preppies partied the pub's final night away in tribute to 26 years of fond albeit foggy, memories.

The night would not have been such a success without the awesome bar service. There was no question Jade had the beat in her black wig and pink neon zebra-print dress, while Iona aced her sequins and side pony. Courtney was hangin' ten as she showed off her crowd-surfing skills while she bussed like no one's business.

Another shout-out goes to Scott, who looked flash while keeping the tunes going all night, especially freakin' his Madonna-esque wife Bethany as she she-bopped in her leg-warmers to the synthesized beats.

One of the pub's all-time favourite bartenders, Jen (who at one point jumped behind the bar to help the girls out) embodied Debbie Gibson, while we all felt we got to know her husband Ben Vicious just a little better in his VERY skinny jeans.

Another Jen pleased both her young daughters and the crowd with her excessive accessorizing, which included her Axel Rose arm candy. Jonas was ready to glam rock, while wife Kirsten was all meshed up and tied with a bow. Zoe did a lot more than a 20-minute workout in her spandex and leotard, while Kelly was radical in a rainbow of neon.

Jesse, Julian, Jonny, Patrick and Jamie looked boss, but showed a little too much leg in their short-shorts (although Jamie regained appropriateness with his "Trouble Loves Me" t-shirt). Moe even brought the Cup Cutter into modern-day by turning up the collar of her uniform and sideswiping her hair.

New mom Kelsey was pretty in pink as she deservedly shredded the dance floor and there was nothing old about Jimmy's new wave style. It was especially choice to see Lauren there, who represented her parents' legacy with mega neon and outrageous hair. It was also a happy birthday for Tom as well as Adrian, who rode in on not a white but a brown horse.

With too many deadly outfits to mention and not a wanna-be in sight, the night was a great, silly-stringed success. The partiers treated the pub and each other with respect as they climbed over one another to get to the bar or washrooms. And if the vehicles littering the corners of Trunk and Dorman roads the next morning were any indication, responsibility abounded as everyone arrived home safely. This of course means a final cowabunga-sized thank you goes out to Richard Goth, who maintained his sense of humour while driving the early morning bus to a totally righteous chorus of "99 Bottles of Beer", which so graciously and fittingly ended at 80.

So long, Bowen Pub. It's been most triumphant!

JEN McINTYRE