Never-ending summer fun

Night bocce and paddle boarding

by JENNIFER LIEBRUM

    Summer might be over but that’s no reason to say goodbye to fun and games with two events this weekend that are family friendly and fundraising too, helping the Idaho Social Learning Center.
   Starting Friday, Sept. 28, with registration at 5:30 p.m., is the Night Bocce World Championships in Ketchum.
   The tournament starts at 6 p.m. at Atkinson Park where 32 two-person teams will throw it down NCAA tournament style.
   “Since this is the only night bocce all-terrain tournament on record, you need to bring your full game,” said event organizer Danny Walton, of Mountain Niceness Productions.
   Entry is $20 per person but includes beer and a bocce set, live music, a DJ and barbecue.
   Children will have their own brackets and lower entry fees. There will be plenty of giveaway swag and prizes. The tournament does not end until a world champion and junior world champion are crowned.
   All Proceeds from the tournament will go directly to Idaho Social Learning Center scholarship fund. Idaho Social Learning Center specializes in helping people who struggle to navigate the social world and develop social relationships.
   The fun will continue at Redfish Lake on Saturday, Sept. 29, and Sunday, Sept. 30, for the first Sawtooth Splash, a two-day stand-up paddle boarding event presented by Bigfly Aviation, Mountain Niceness Productions and the Idaho Social Learning Center.
   Saturday will include paddle clinics, tips, demos and yoga. In addition, a beach-to-beach classic race and team relay races will occur along with live music, a DJ and barbecue.
   The final day, Sunday, Sept. 30, will include Sawtooth SUP (Stand Up Paddle) salutations, the Sawtooth SUP cup and golf championships.
   Enter the Night Bocce World Championships and the Sawtooth Splash raffle to win a stand-up paddle board and other prizes. Tickets are $5 or $20 for five. Raffle tickets will be sold around town before the events and during the weekend of events. For more information, visit www.mountainniceness.com and www.idahosociallearningcenter.org.

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