Bingo Draws Big Crowd

If you’re looking for one of the last pure slices of Americana, you don’t have to look further than American Legion Post 94, where a crowd gathers every Thursday night to partake in one of the longest running traditions in Babylon Village: Bingo.

“You feel comfortable, you feel at home here and the people who run it are great,” says Mary Flood, one of the 90-plus people in attendance on a recent Thursday evening.

“Everyone’s very nice and a lot of the friends I have, I’ve met through playing bingo,” says Maddy Cacamese, another local player who attends with her longtime friend Flood and Kathy Muller.

Bingo, an enjoyable game of chance, is played using randomly drawn numbers that are drawn by a “caller,” and players match the numbers against those pre-printed on 5x5 cards.

In most versions of bingo the first person to cover their card with a specified pattern shouts the word, “Bingo,” alerting the the caller of a possible win. The potential winner’s card is then checked to make sure it is accurate before confirming the win and distributing the game’s jackpot.

“I’ve been playing bingo for at least 60 years, and I really love the game,” Flood says. “I would go morning, noon and night. It’s exciting and there’s camaraderie here. If someone doesn’t show up, you worry about them because you see these people every week and everyone cares about each other.”

Ask Marvin Freeman what bingo means to the people of Babylon Village and you get another perspective on how far the outstretched arms of caring reach.

“A lot of the money we take in here goes toward local charities, scholarships as well as the veterans up in Northport. We take them out for fishing trips and bring them here for Christmas parties.," he said.

Babylon’s American Legion has been running weekly bingo nights for more than 40 years, according to Freeman, and averages more than 80 people although on many nights that number is well over 100, depending on what the progressive bingo amount is.

At time, there have been more than 150 players competing for big jackpots.

“There are a lot of places that have bingo, but some places have a bingo package that you have to buy and it can get pretty expensive,” says Freeman.

“Here’s it’s very cheap. You only have to pay a $2 admission and for $15 you can get all the materials you need here. No one’s looking to get rich here, we’re just looking to help our veterans, help our community and hope that everyone has a good time when they’re here.”

Although bingo begins each Thursday night at 7:15 p.m, sales start around 6:15 p.m. and the games generally conclude by 11 p.m. There’s a progressive game, three chances for a bonus ball and a jackpot game. The Ladies Auxiliary offers homemade food and there are plenty of volunteers who are more than happy to answer any questions or help familiarize any interested players in how the games are played. 

So visit 22 Grove Place on Thursday night and bring your favorite lucky charm.