INNISFAIL – Horseshoe enthusiasts from across Alberta will soon hit the courts for the annual Innisfail Horseshoe Tournament.
The event takes place May 26 and 27 at the courts across from the Innisfail and District Historical Village. The event begins at 10 a.m. and runs until 4 p.m.
This year’s tournament will be known as the Innisfail ATB Financial Horseshoe Tournament.
For the first time, the two-day event is being supported by several local sponsors. In addition, it will have a feature sponsor, ATB Financial.
“We had a meeting last fall and I said to the members, 'we’ve got to do something,'" said Myrna Kissick, president of the Innisfail Horseshoe Club. “I asked if they wanted to (increase) the entry fee for more money or do they want to go out and get sponsors.”
The membership chose not to increase fees and set out to gather sponsors for the tournament. The response from the Innisfail business community was positive, noted Kissick.
“It’s wonderful,” she said, noting the money raised from sponsors will be distributed as prize money for participants. “This year our feature business (sponsor) is ATB Financial and that’s what our tournament is going to be called.
“We started it last year with the legion. Next year it might be somebody else,” she said, adding ATB Financial manager Heather Kirkham will throw the opening ceremonial pitch on May 26.
A total of 14 local businesses have stepped up to help, said Kissick.
Other local sponsors include the Innisfail Royal Canadian Legion, Innisfail Auction Mart, Freaks for Antiques, Fox & Hound, Coffee Cottage, Best of Health, Napa Autopro 2020 Auto Service Ltd, CFK Collision Ltd., Baiers Stationary, Motel 6, Home Hardware, Johns Manville and Reward Lease Management (Red Deer).
The annual tournament is hosted each spring by the club, which begins its league on the first Wednesday next month (May 2) at 6 p.m.
The event will include singles competitions on both days.
Last year's numbers were down, said Kissick, with just 19 participants. They are hoping for a better turnout this year.
“It’s the first outdoor tournament in Alberta (every spring), said Kissick. “People will come from all over the province, as far north as Slave Lake and High Prairie.
“We’ve had as high as 54 (singles entries) in the tournament,” she added, noting the additional sponsorship this year may have a positive impact on numbers.
“Because we have the added prize money, that will bring some more horseshoe pitchers out,” she said, noting there will be several hundred dollars in prize money awarded.
The event is sanctioned by the Alberta Horseshoe Pitchers Association (AHPA) and participants must be a member to participate. People can join prior to the tournament or on the day of before 9 a.m., noted Kissick. They can also register for the Innisfail tournament at that time.
“It’s always busy and we have lots of volunteers. Our members jump in and help and we have people that come from all over to help us,” said Kissick. “Without volunteers we couldn’t run this tournament.”
To register or for more information contact Mirna Kissick at 403-227-6507.
