Kipling will have twice as much to offer during the Canada Day Weekend this year.
For those who regard the Bobby Vargo Memorial Slo-Pitch Tournament as their Canada Day tradition, Austin Vargo says that the weekend will offer everything that Slo-Pitch fans have come to expect.
“Teams are asked to let us know by June 20th if they want to register for the tournament – as the list of teams that we have signed up already is growing. So, it’s looking like we’ll have a full roster of teams taking part in this year’s tournament again. All the teams that have signed up so far are from this area and most are returning teams (although we do have some new teams that are planning to take part as well).
“Games will start Thursday evening (June 29th) and we will have a game under the lights that evening. Then the games will continue throughout the day on Friday and Saturday. We’ll also be having our Home Run Derby on Friday evening.
“Since the Arena is closed this summer, we’ll be having our Cabaret on Saturday at the Community Centre. We’re planning to have activities for the kids on Saturday as well.
“This year will also include a Silent Auction and Beer Gardens all weekend along with the Firefighters Pancake Breakfast and Lions Club Food Booth.”
Saturday, July 1st is also the new date that has been set for Kipling’s Trade Day (which was previously held at the beginning of September). Trade Day will also be relocated from the downtown to the Kipling and District Historical Society Museum Grounds.
Darcie Khounnoraj (Trade Day Organizer) notes that vendors who would like to take part in Trade Day are encouraged to message the Facebook page for that event.
“We’re just beginning to hear from vendors now. Vendors can secure a spot on the Museum Grounds for a non-refundable fee of only $15 and will be able to bring their tables and set up as early as 10 a.m. that morning. Then vendors can spend from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (or longer) meeting with their new customers and helping them find that treasure that they can purchase and take home!
“So, this is a wonderful opportunity both for those who have a well-known product with a more established customer base and for those who are starting out with a new product. It might even be that some of the families of those who are playing in the tournament might like to set up a table at Trade Day as well!”
Vargo hopes that those coming to take in Trade Day might choose to head over to the ball diamonds and take in some of the tournament as well.
“We’re hoping that having the two events running at the same time will increase the foot traffic in the area, which would benefit both events. And it might also mean that some who have never been to the tournament before might check it out.”
Khounnoraj adds that having the two events taking place side-by-side on Canada Day will also benefit the community.
“Over the past few years, we’ve become so accustomed to being apart, watching sports and shopping for things through a screen. But it’s so nice to be able to sit with a group of friends and cheer your team on… or visit with various vendors and find those unique items that you just won’t discover online.
“We would really like to encourage more people to come out and enjoy both events. The Bobby Vargo Tournament has become a part of this community’s history. We’re hoping that by having Trade Day on July 1st as well, we can give residents and visitors a chance to take in both events and discover more of great things that we have in this community.”
