ESTEVAN - The Estevan Public Youth Centre (EPYC) received excellent support for its annual cornhole tournament on Saturday at the Wylie-Mitchell Building.
Twenty-four teams entered the tournament. Games were played throughout the afternoon and evening, as each team was guaranteed at least three games.
The Backyard Boyz defeated the Killer Bs in the A final, while the Chiller Whales won the B event. The Dashing Divas took home the award for the best-dressed team.
The Saskatchewan Cornhole Association helped with the setup and execution of the competition.
"I consider it another successful event, and the teams that were entered had a great time. I'm looking forward to next year," said EPYC executive director Merissa Scarlett.
The people who turned out had a lot of fun, she said. Some of the teams showed up in matching outfits and costumes. Scarlett noted some of the spectators said they looked forward to entering next year.
Supper was served by Black Beard's Catering. Drinks were served throughout the day, with the Estevan Kinette Club – who sponsored the event – working the bar. DJ Angela supplied the music during the tournament and at a cabaret that followed.
Scarlett estimates close to 100 people were in attendance, between competitors, volunteers, spectators and people who showed up for the cabaret.
A final tally for the amount of money raised was not immediately available, but Scarlett said the event brought in more money than last year, when it generated approximately $6,000.
"We're definitely looking forward to doing it again next year. It will be our annual event," said Scarlett. "It will definitely be with the cabaret. That was a new addition this year; it was kind of [added at the] last minute. I think we will be pushing to add that next year and just grow this event even further. The more teams we get, the more fun we can have, and I'm looking forward to it for years to come."
The tournament was part of what will be a busy stretch for EPYC. The centre will reopen on May 2, after being closed since mid-March due to a staffing and volunteer shortage.
Scarlett, who started with EPYC on April 9, is looking forward to meeting the young people, families and others. She met some at EPYC's recent clothing sale.
"It was really nice just to get some names to faces. I saw some of the names on our sign-in sheets, and meet some of the parents who came in, too. So, I'm really excited to just see who comes out and what they want out of the centre.
"For me, the youth centre should be very much youth-led, and I will be trying ideas out, but at this point, what I want from the youth, too, is for them to give me that feedback on what they want to see in the centre as well, because it's their space and I want to make it comfortable for them."
The first day will have typical after school hours from 3:30-6 p.m., and then May 3 and 4 it will be open from 5:30-10:30 p.m.
Scarlett said they have to some work remaining in the centre to make it welcoming to the youth. They will also relaunch their programming calendar this week. They have some activities coming, she said, including a couple of workshops with the youths through the Estevan Art Gallery and Museum.
