Toys for Tots hoping to 'make a splash' with mud dodgeball tournament on June 7
(Talk of the Town photo by Jennifer Zartman Romano) The Whitley County Fairgrounds’ demolition derby pit area will be the site of the “Showdown at the Fairgrounds” mud dodgeball event on June 7 in Columbia City. Proceeds will benefit Whitley County Toys for Tots.
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
Barry Yeakle says he’s hoping the upcoming mud volleyball tournament will make a big splash in Whitley County.
Truly, if the Columbia City Fire Department pours enough water on the dirt at the Whitley County 4-H Fairgrounds, the Toys for Tots event is sure to make more than a splash!
Slated for June 7, “Showdown at the Fairgrounds” is a first-time fundraiser by Toys for Tots pitting 
teams of eight against one another for the messiest version of dodge ball anyone has ever seen.
“Mud dodgeball is an invention all our own,” Yeakle said. Born of an idea for a new and different fundraiser, the committee planning the event is not only hoping for many teams to participate – but plenty of spectators as well.
The event will be held at the Whitley County 4-H Fairgrounds in the area typically used for the demolition derby. Yeakle says they’ll be bringing in seating so that watchers can have a seat close to the action, but far enough away they won’t be part of the muddy action.
“People have been excited about this from the very beginning,” Yeakle said. As of Wednesday, Yeakle already had 12 teams confirmed and hopes to add four more before the event.
Teams, consisting of eight members, will participate in a single elimination tournament which begins at 1 p.m. on June 7. Registration is $80 per team (just $10 per person). The guarantees – it will be interesting and there will be prizes.
There are plans to award a county champions trophy as well as awards for dirtiest team, cleanest team, most stylish uniform and something Yeakle calls “The Old Stick in the Muds.” What is that?
“I’m not really sure yet,” Yeakle said. “But, we’ll know it when we see it.”
Yeakle was pleased to learn this week that the Columbia City Fire Department will flood the mud pits for the dodgeball tournament. Additionally, he added he is very pleased with the support he’s received from Whitley County 4-H, Inc. “They’ve extended every courtesy to us,” Yeakle said, adding they will be assisting in grading and prepping the dodgeball court before the event.
Enthusiasm from those planning to attend or participate in the event is already spiking. “We are hoping this is an event we can repeat from year to year,” Yeakle said.
Yeakle said he’s already talked with several families who plan to use the event in an interesting way – by hosting their graduation parties there.
Admission to the event is $1 per person and children may attend for free. All proceeds will support Whitley County’s Toys for Tots.
Title sponsor of the event is Whitley Chiropractic and Wellness. Other sponsors include Metropolitan Title Company, Midwest America Federal Credit Union, Pizza Hut, Becky Curless – State Farm Insurance, DQ Grill & Chill, RWG Mortgage and Joyce Linder – Coldwell Banker RWG.
To register for one of just four remaining team spots, contact Barry Yeakle at 691-2923.