Girls Gone Wild returning to Antioch tavern

Girls Gone Wild, the popular and controversial soft porn video-maker, returns to film at Blarney's Island in Antioch in two weeks, tavern owners announced today.

But, this time, the event is scheduled for a day when it will have a less "chaotic impact" on law enforcement and Chain O' Lakes boaters than its inaugural visit last year.

Rob Hardman, Blarney's co-owner, said the film crew will be on the island Saturday, June 13 to film segments for its "Hottest Bars in America" tour and search for the "hottest girl in America."

According to the GGW Web site, film crews are crisscrossing the nation to shoot video of what takes place in the wildest bars in the United States, and hosting a contest for the best looking female for a new magazine.

Hardman said the film crew was asked to come in June - rather than late July - to avoid the annual Petite Lake Sandbar Party, considered one of the biggest party's on the Chain.

"Last year was too chaotic between the Petite Lake party and the film crew being here," he said. "It was too much for one day. So, we asked the film crew to come out at a different time, and they agreed."

Last year, Blarney's hosted the film crew on the island directly after the sandbar party. However, the island tavern was forced to turn away 4,000 patrons and their boats because of overcrowding. The Blarney shuttle, which ferrys people from the Port O' Blarney on Grass Lake Road to the tavern, was shut down about 3 p.m.

"While it may have been one of our busiest days ever, it was definitely one of the most difficult days we've had from an operational standpoint," Hardman said. "We handled it. We do not want to put ourselves in that position unnecessarily again, and also do not want to put the rest of the Chain in a difficult situation."

Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran said he was pleased the Girls Gone Wild event is scheduled for a different date than the sandbar party.

"As I said last year, we can't be the morals police and will not do anything to prevent businesses in that area from making money," Curran said. "As always, we'll respond to any and all complaints out there, but Blarney's has been good from that perspective and we do not anticipate any additional problems."

Extra patrols were used to control the 2008 event, but Curran said he doesn't expect that to be necessary this year.

Hardman again stressed the film crew will not be allowed to break any laws - specifically indecency laws - while on the island.

He added any indecent behavior the soft-core porn company may want to capture will take place off Blarney's Island property.

"They know anything they promote can be filmed off Blarney Island," he said. "They can do whatever they want on their bus or on a boat or whatever, but on the island, they have to stick to the rules."

<div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Stories</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=223726">Police report 'minimal' problems from 'Girls Gone Wild' event <span class="date">[07/27/08]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=223016"> Girls Gone Wild coming to Antioch this weekend <span class="date">[07/24/08]</span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>