Dating Game entrants seek true love in a bar

By Kelli Long

David Barry might find the love of his life tonight without ever seeing her face.

The Dating Game, sponsored by Budweiser, Tops on Campus, Cricket Wireless and Saddle Ridge is giving eight contestants the chance to win prizes, including free T-shirts, tanning visits and Krispy Kreme doughnuts.

And then there is that chance that contestants could find “the one.”

With a similar set up as the television show, “The Dating Game,” three ladies will be on stage with Barry, but will be separated from him by a wall, preventing them from seeing each other. He will ask the women questions to help make his decision. A female contestant will also have the same opportunity to ask questions to three lucky guys. The finalist picked for a date wins a grand prize of a limo ride and dinner for two at deSha’s Restaurant and Bar.

This isn’t Barry’s first shot at finding love as part of The Dating Game. He was one of three male contestants the last time the event was held at Saddle Ridge but wasn’t chosen for a date.

“It was a fun experience,” said Barry, a 2003 UK alumnus. “I had never done anything like that before, and it was very entertaining.”

Three guys and three girls were chosen to play the game through Tops on Campus, after applying online and answering questions about themselves, said Erin Hurst, intern and marketing coordinator at Tops in Lex, and a coordinator of The Dating Game.

“Everyone in Saddle Ridge feels engaged as part of this event,” Hurst said.

During the game, the audience will also have the chance to win tickets to the upcoming George Strait concert.

The Dating Game starts at 9:30 p.m. at Saddle Ridge, located on South Broadway.

Barry isn’t expecting to find true love tonight but still hopes to have a good time.

“You never know what might happen,” Barry said.