By Sam Donnelly
For the Bashaw Star
The Bashaw Curling Club will be holding their annual bunnock tournament for all skill levels on July 9 and 10 at the Bashaw Agricultural Grounds.
The winning team will have their names on the trophy as well as a grand prize of $1,000. There are also other smaller cash prizes for the runner ups.
“We’ve got people coming from all over Alberta and even some from outside (the province),” said Erin Elder, treasurer and tournament organizer.
The Bashaw Ag Grounds can be found at 4750 45 Ave.
According to bunnock.com, bunnock is a throwing game in which two rows of 22 bones are set up 10 feet apart. Opponents take turns throwing bones at their opponent’s line of bones with the winner being the player who can knock down their opponent’s bones.
Teams at the Bashaw bunnock tournament are made up of four people. Registration for the tournament will close on June 30 or as soon as the 72 slots are filled. As of April 12, there were just three spots remaining.
According to Elder, the Bashaw Curling Club has been running the event since 2016, however, the tournament itself is over 20 years old.
Elder said that the Saturday will likely be dedicated to playing bunnock, while the championship game will begin at 5 p.m. on Sunday.
There is no separation between seasoned players and amateur players so come prepared to play players from every skill level.
The event will have a food truck and beer gardens as well. Bashaw Curling Club will also be holding a 50/50.
The Ag Grounds has space for hundreds of campers according to Elder. Sites with power are $20 while sites without are $10.
Bashaw also has a town campground located on the east end of Bashaw on Highway 53 within Bashaw town limits. There are 16 unserviced sites for $20 a night with access to flush toilets and firewood. All the campsites are first come first serve.
Elder and Bashaw Curling Club is looking for volunteers to help with setting up. Those interested in assisting are asked to email them at bashawcurlingclub@gmail.com.
More information on the tournament as well other events put on by Bashaw Curling Club can be found on the group’s Facebook page.
Bashaw curling Club has little concern that the event will be affected by COVID-19.