Students at Washington State University (WSU) often complain there is nothing to do in the small town of Pullman, Washington. However, tucked away in the Lumberyard food hall is “Not Your Grandma’s Bingo Night” every Thursday at 7 p.m.
The Lumberyard was originally a building supply facility, but was later converted to a Quonset hut for lumber in the 1950s. Today, it’s a hub for a lively community that hosts multiple events throughout the week, the most notable being their Bingo Nights. The Lumberyard food hall works to connect local residents with students who are far from home, and trying to find the same feeling of community in the Palouse.
The game of bingo often brings images of senior centers, and slow-paced playing to mind, but “Not Your Grandma’s Bingo Night” at the Lumberyard flips the script. The dining hall comes alive with the sounds of clamoring, clanking dishes, and the voice of the mc known as DJ Goldfinger, echoing from the speakers at the front of the room.
Bingo Night originally started three years ago and was suggested to DJ Goldenfinger’s mother. They started out just doing it out in the garage as more people started showing up. Goldenfinger said Molly Golden suggested they start doing this weekly and now host it on the main floor of the Lumberyard.
The crowds at bingo nights are a blend of college students and Pullman families, all competing for the same prizes. Washington Trust Bank, the sponsor of the event. They supply a variety of prizes, such as themed baskets, free food vouchers and a variety of gift cards.
The event is open to all and free to participate in, drawing in crowds that vary in age. From college students to Pullman families, people from all over the town join to compete in intense games of bingo. Bingo sheets and bingo daubers are provided free by the Lumberyard to anyone who wants to participate.
As the event begins at 7 p.m., DJ Goldfinger leads the crowd through a series of different winning shapes, including L’s, T’s and blackouts. The crowd silences during DJ Goldfinger’s introduction, with everyone in the crowd facing the front of the room.
The crowd remains lively and competitive throughout the entirety of the event, even in between rounds. The food hall is filled with crowd chattering, cheering, and booing between rounds.
“Everbody tells me they’ve never seen that. I’ve never seen that, you know so that’s what’s really awesome towards it” said Goldenfinger.
Goldenfinger says how there are good and bads to hosting these events. It’s good because he has never seen this before. But also Goldfinger says he doesn’t think people fully lean in to see others’ perspectives.
Zachary Pappas, a regular at bingo night, said he has been coming since they started bingo night three years ago. Recounting the times he and his friends have come out and made it their weekly activity. Pappas says that the game night has grown exponentially and even though their win rate is nowhere what it used to be.
“Whether it’s a prize or not, it’s fun,” said Pappas.
Pappas is in the works of getting his managers to get their company to come and give prizes for bingo night or to even sponsor the event again which they have done previously before.
“Not Your Grandma’s Bingo Night” unites the community of Pullman for funloving competition every Thursday night at the Lumberyard food hall. To learn more about the event visit https://lumberyardfoodhall.com/events/.