The Okotoks and District Chamber of Commerce will be hosting two new first-time events in the coming months.
August and September will see the first annual cornhole and pickleball tournaments, both of which will support local charitable organizations.
The chamber’s Executive Director Dawn LeMaistre says chamber members have been expressing interest in more interactive events, and given the continued success of their annual golf tournament, these seemed like a logical next step.
“The golf tournament was another good success for us this year, so we thought “Hey, why don’t we take a look at doing another couple of opportunities but also look at changing our focus and looking to give back a little more to the community?’”
The chamber will be hosting a cornhole tournament in support of the Simpora Foundation on August 22, and a pickleball tournament to support the Foothills Country Hospice’s expansion on September 26.
Both events will be open to the public, as well as local businesses/chamber members.
LeMaistre says both tournaments are largely intended as casual social events that are a chance for people to meet while supporting a good cause.
“Really, what we’re looking for generally, is for people just to come out and interact. You can create a team of two to six people. We encourage your team to have more than just two people so you can interchange them throughout the evening. We want you to come and enjoy the barrage gardens and the food vendors, take it all in, and raise some money for these causes… We certainly aren’t looking for experts, especially on the pickleball side. We’re happy to accommodate all skill levels.”
Half of the registration and sponsorship funds from each event will benefit the chosen charity, as well as all of the funds raised at each event.
The cornhole tournament is being held at the Okotoks Best Western Plus, as its owners and operators Roanne and Greg Bodnarchuk founded the SImpora Foundation together.
It’s scheduled for 5-9 p.m. on August 22, and registration is already open.
Registration for the pickleball tournament, scheduled for September 26, is set to open within the next week.