• by Richard Whitman , Columnist, May 14, 2020

For a number of years now, White Castle has declared May 15 to be National Slider Day, right smack dab in the middle of National Hamburger Month. 

You’re probably wondering about the origins of National Hamburger Month. Sorry, don’t have anything to share on that. 

But White Castle, one of the oldest burger chains in America with a claim to the original slider, is adapting to the times this year and celebrating the day with a virtual dance party called “Slider Jam.” 

The free event, starting at 8 p.m. on May 15 features popular DJ duo Dude Skywalker and hopes to raise much-needed funds for the National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant Employee Relief Fund. The DJs are donating their time to the cause. 

The company coordinated this year’s effort with its in-house marketing team and with their creative agency of record, Merkley+Partners. 

As always the chain is giving away free sliders at participating restaurants. And if you’re a real fan, you may want to download a branded virtual meeting background. There’s also a related social media campaign #CraveTheGood. 

“Slider Jam” can be viewed on Dude Skywalker’s Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and Twitch pages.  By clicking on the Slider Jam link, partiers will be able to see the DJs and be able to chat with new friends and familiar acquaintances in the comments section.

There is no cost to attend the virtual dance party, but White Castle will encourage donations to the Restaurant Employee Relief Fund, which provides grants to restaurant employees who have been negatively impacted by COVID-19. A donation link will be available on each of the streaming platforms.