If you are reading this e-mail, then there is a good chance you are going to get lei'd on Friday.

Got your attention? In case you haven't heard, this week's Uptown Friday Night will be the First Annual LARGE midgets Luau! I tried to come up with a way to promote the event without resorting to cheap lei jokes, but I couldn't resist so read on at your own risk. Still here? Good choice...after all, who doesn't like a good lei?

Why a luau? Basically because none of us can afford to fly to Hawaii, so we're bringing the fun of the islands to Cedar Rapids. We're going to have Hawaiian costumes, decorations, games, and of course, LEIS! To shamelessly promote our first luau, the first 1000 people to the park will receive a free lei. And they say customer service is a lost art!

The LARGE midgets have got a few tricks up their collective sleeves. In addition to their usual brand of fun, the guys will be raffling off a LARGE midgets Miller Lite neon sign, which is featured on our website. Chances are just a buck, which gets you in the drawing for the sign and many other great prizes...including A NEW CAR! Just kidding. When they're not busy playing, the band will be giving stuff away from the stage like grass skirts, coconut bras, free drinks, t-shirts, and their trademark cheeseballs. Steve, the lead singer, even told me he plans to lei some members of the audience right on stage. The man has no shame.

Have you ever been lei'd on television? Few outside of the adult film industry can make that claim, but if you join us at the luau you will have your opportunity. Mediacom will be taping the entire show to be rebroadcast throughout the upcoming year on TV10. The show will be even better if everybody comes in Hawaiian costume, so dust off those aloha shirts and smile for the cameras.

Being on TV works up a thirst, and we can take care of you with plenty of pop, water, Miller Lite, and Mike's Hard Lemonade. Too bad they don't sell Mike's Hard Pina Collada. Don't forget to say "Aloha" to the friendly hula girls and guys serving the beer from Countrywide Home Loans, Encompass Iowa, Expressions Salon & Spa, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Prudential Heintz & Associates Realtors, and RuffaloCody.

Speaking of sponsors, we couldn't dream of pulling a stunt like this without the support of our presenting sponsors: Mix 96.5, 100.7 The Fox, Mediacom, and Munson Electric. They have been great to us all summer, and we're going to return the favor by getting them lei'd on Friday!

The Jaycees are trying to "lei" the groundwork for a strong community, so this week the Friday Night Dream Makers will be presenting $1000 each to the Madge Phillips Center, Jane Boyd Community House, Habitat for Humanity, Tananger Place, and Olivet Neighborhood Mission. This is just one way the Cedar Rapids Jaycees give back to the community, and it is possible because you support events like Uptowns.

We look forward to seeing you at the luau, an event that you won't want to miss. After all, how often do you have the chance to get lei'd in front of 2000 people?

OK, I'm done. See you at the park!

- Nathan