Man Cave a hit at bridal event

Jerrad Williams hit the ping pong ball across the table Sunday passing the time as his fiancée checked out what the Bridal extravaganza had to offer.

Williams, of Graceville, Fla., came to the event held at the Dothan Civic Center with his fiancée, Melissa Holley, to tie up some loose ends before their wedding in September.

Williams played a few games of table tennis in the man cave, a special area set up specifically for the men to hang out during the extravaganza.

“We’ve decided on a place, but wanted a few ideas on decorations and other things,” Williams said. “I had absolutely no idea they’d have something like this for the guys. I’m in no hurry. She’s in there having fun, and that’s all that matters.”

Stephanie Madden, the coordinator for the extravaganza, said the man cave included a 70 inch flat screen television showing sports, a pool table, and a ping pong table along with chips, sandwiches and cookies. She said the Highland Oaks golf course also had a putting green set up, along with a golf pro to give people tips.

Madden said it was the first year for the Bridal extravaganza to include the man cave. Madden, the marketing manager for the Dothan Eagle, said the event was sponsored by the Dothan Eagle, Loftin’s Party and Wedding Center and the Dothan Civic Center.

“I thought it would be kind of cool if the guys had a place to hang out,” Madden said. “I think the guys appreciated their little place to go, and watch some football and chill out.”

Madden called the event a success.

“I think the weather played into it. If it’s raining people tend to stay indoors at home,” Madden said. “We’ve got such great local vendors. I think the brides were excited to come out and see what everybody had to offer. I definitely know there were more people than last year. The attendance was higher this year.”

Larry Anglin, of Enterprise, said if more fathers and boyfriends knew about the man cave at the event more of them might’ve attended.

“On the way inside I noticed a young man sitting in his car listening to the radio. That could’ve been me had I not found the man cave,” Anglin said. “It gives you something to do, and if they need me I’m close by. It has many of the things my man cave at home has. So it’s some of the same things I’d be doing at home anyway.”

Larry Anglin’s wife, Debra Anglin, said because of the man cave she and her daughter could take their time looking at all the vendors at the extravaganza.

Brittney Anglin, Larry Anglin’s daughter, carried a bag full of pamphlets with her.

“I think it was helpful,” Brittney Anglin said. “We did not feel so rushed because he had somewhere to go.”