BBBS gets ready for the return of the Big Pickleballooza

LAKE HALLIE — In only its second year, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Wisconsin CEO Travis Austad said the return of the Big Pickleballooza is an exciting event.

On Friday, Aug. 14, teams will compete at the Gower Park Pickleball courts with a tournament starting around midday.

In addition to pickleball matches, Austad added there would be family-style games, concessions and a silent auction. Those unfamiliar with pickleball are also encouraged to attend and see more of what the growing sport has to offer.

As for the event itself, Austad said it was an idea that grew from when they wanted to create something new for locals.

“Everybody does a golf event, and we were no different,” he said. “We were in August and that was kind of the end of the year for a lot of the golf events. And by August, a lot of those same participants who participated in multiple events were golfed out.

“We wanted to pivot and do something that no one else has ever done and pickleball is such a growing sport and popularity where all ages really can play pickleball. Whether you’re 18, whether you’re 60 plus, you can all take advantage of what pickleball has to offer and it just made sense for us.”

In addition to being presented by Market and Johnson and Big Brothers Big Sisters, the annual tournament was collaborated on through a partnership with the Chippewa Valley Pickleball Club. Through them, they worked on bracketing and learned the importance of pickle juice during these events, which Austad said will be a new addition at their concessions this year.

With registration wrapping up this weekend, Austad said they are already showing growth from last year.

“Our goal this year was 24 [teams], and we’re already there,” he said.

“We have different divisions for skill levels. We have a beginner division, which is essentially your basic knowledge of the game and just learning how to play. Your intermediate is kind of that step up. And then the advanced division is where all the really, really good pickleball players are playing and showing off their skill sets.”

Although registration ends today at 4:30 p.m., teams are encouraged to call the office after the deadline to see if there is room to register.

The event serves as a major fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Wisconsin, an organization that has operated in the area for close to 55 years and now serves Eau Claire, Chippewa, Pierce, Dunn and St. Croix counties and 19 other rural areas.

Big Brothers Big Sisters operates with what is referred to as site-based mentoring with local school districts, as volunteers go in for one hour a week or four meaningful contacts a month to help with homework, read books or take part in other meaningful mentorship activities. Austad said they also offer community-based mentoring and small group mentoring through partnerships.

As the local event is growing, event planners are also preparing for another Big Pickleballooza in the St. Croix County area this September.

“In just two short years, we’ve already expanded that out, and we’ll continue to work with the Chippewa Valley Pickleball Club and the Hudson Pickleball Association about growing those events,” Austad said. “And then if there were other opportunities in the other counties we serve, we are open and want to expand as much as we can.

“If you wanna come check it out, it’s free of charge for admission. We highly encourage people to do so, because if you don’t know anything about pickleball, it’s nice to kind of gain that experience of watching it first, learning a little bit about how the game is played, and then who knows? It could spur some interest in playing as well.”

For more information on the upcoming event, visit bbbsnw.org/bigpickleballooza .

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