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Bartender Zach Leffert of Bistro 72 at Hotel Indigo and bartenders Ian Pfister and Tom Corcoran of tRP mixed about 10 options contending to be the “Bottoms Up” cocktail. (Carrie Miller Photo)

The Academy Awards aren’t just a night of style and class for celebrities anymore. The Riverhead Project is out to prove that this Sunday, while also raising money and awareness for a good cause. 

The East Main Street restaurant will be hosting a blue carpet event prior to the Oscars, serving as a kickoff to Peconic Bay Medical Center’s Go Blue campaign in support of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.

PBMC Health is teaming up with the Cancer Services Program of Suffolk County and the American Cancer Society to promote a month-long campaign to raise awareness of the importance of colon cancer screening and early detection in hopes of stalling the nation’s second-leading cause of cancer-related death.

Dennis McDermott of The Riverhead Project is pulling out all the stops to kickoff the awareness program with an Oscar viewing celebration, where the cover charge is free and viewers can watch the awards on monitors throughout the restaurant’s dining room, as well as on a projection screen in the bar area.

Dennis McDermott of tRP and Donna Chider of Hotel Indigo enjoy a glass of "Bottoms Up." (Carrie Miller Photo)
Dennis McDermott of tRP and Donna Chider of Hotel Indigo enjoy a glass of “Bottoms Up.” (Carrie Miller Photo)

During the viewing — and throughout the rest of the month — visitors can sip on a refreshing blue cocktail, served in a matching blue glass appropriately named “Bottoms Up.” The drink will also be offered at the Suffolk Theater, Bistro 72 at Hotel Indigo.  All proceeds from the cocktail will be donated to the Cancer Service Program, Mr. McDermott said.

Spectators are urged to dress up in red carpet attire for the party Sunday, and the person chosen as best dressed will win dinner for two at the restaurant.

You can also cast a ballot to vote on who you think will win the six major awards categories for a chance to win two different prize packages. Buy a $50 ballot, with all proceeds going toward the Cancer Services Program, and you can win $1,000 cash, a two-night stay at the Hyatt Place in Riverhead, a $100 gift card to Tanger Outlet Center and a free colonoscopy at Peconic Bay Medical Center.

Participants can also choose to do a free ballot option with a chance to win dinner for four in the restaurant’s kitchen with executive chief Lia Fallon, along with a free colonoscopy at Peconic Bay Medical Center.

Colon cancer affects both men and women and although it is preventable, treatable and beatable with proper screening, only half of insured adults ages 50 to 75 are up-to-date with colon cancer screenings, according to the American Cancer Society. Only 36 percent of uninsured adults routinely get screened, according to the ACS.

Bistro 72 at Hotel Indigo bartender Zach Leffert pouring the "Bottoms Up" cocktail. (Carrie Miller Photo)
Bistro 72 at Hotel Indigo bartender Zach Leffert pouring the “Bottoms Up” cocktail. (Carrie Miller Photo)
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