The "CardBoard Dave" Story. . .
Spring 2005
In the Spring of 2005, my brother was headed to Key West for 5 days and invited me along (really, just to split the cost). Two of his co-workers, Jenn and Mason, were getting married and we were joining a big group of guys and gals for the party & wedding.
The group of folks were strangers to me, but after a night of drinks on Duval, bared asses in Sloppy Joe's and raw oysters at Crabby Bills, I made a new best friend.
Dave.
During all the fun, Dave lost his new shoes and room key and was later refused breakfast at Denny’s (The sign on the door said "No shoes--No service! No exceptions!"). The poor guy spent his first night in paradise outside in a wooden chair while being serenaded by stray cats. That was the beginning of five of the best days of my life culminated by Jenn and Mason’s seven minute wedding on the beach at sunset. Dave even managed to find his shoes before heading home. . It was the perfect end to a perfect vacation.
So perfect, in fact, that we all vowed to meet in Key West the following year for the newlyweds’ first anniversary. Everyone was in...except Dave. He couldn't make it. We begged, pleaded and threatened, but he just couldn’t make it happen.
How could we relive the fun we had without Dave? Dave had to be with us-- But how?
Spring 2006
Using a picture from last year (proudly holding his newly found shoes that had been M.I.A. for 4 days), we made a life-size cardboard standup of Dave at a local art center. CardBoard Dave was born! We packed him up and headed for Key West.
We took C.B.D. everywhere---to every bar and restaurant on the island. Tourists lined up to meet and have their picture taken with CardBoard Dave. He danced with waitresses. He got smooched by pretty coeds. Dave even went deep sea fishing and got a henna tattoo. On the last night on the island, Dave piloted the Sunset “Booze” Cruise--much to the delight of the 125 fun seeking passengers aboard.
Dave was the most popular guy in Key West and he wasn't even there!
When the trip was over, we presented the real Dave with his tattooed, cardboard likeness, signed by the group. Surprised and a little choked up, Dave promised he would NOT miss the 3rd annual Key West trip in 2007.
A great time was had by all and a great idea was born.
BringYourBud.com. We’ll Make Your “Dave.”
Yours in CardBoard,
Craig and Kent Ingram,
Inventors of CardBoard Dave
and Owners of BringYourBud, LLC
