Boscombe is bringing in the start of the summer festivities, with a weekend of slo-pitch, a pig roast, kids’ games and more planned for Boscombe Days this Saturday and Sunday.
The event usually takes place in August, but Barry Sallstrom, president of the Boscombe Community Centre board, says that by then, it can be harder to recruit teams to come out and play ball, and people are getting ready for the start of school.
“That’s why we’re trying to shake it up, to get more people out to come and enjoy the day,” he said, explaining why organizers decided to move the event up to May.
The action starts with Boscombe 4-H’s show and sale on Friday, just north of Boscombe hall, with the sheep show beginning at 1 p.m., the beef show following at 2 p.m. and the sheep sale beginning later that evening at 6 p.m.
Then on Saturday and Sunday, eight teams are ready to get down to business with the annual slo-pitch tournament.
“Everybody’s welcome, we’re still taking teams, so if anyone’s interested in coming out for fun, just let us know,” said Sallstrom, adding people can call him at 780-646-2300 or Dean at 780-726-2323 to register a team.
But there will be events for the kids as well, with kids’ games starting at 2 p.m. on Saturday with activities such as an egg toss, sack races and other foot races for the young ones. Boscombe’s fourth annual pig roast begins afterwards at 6 p.m., for a cost of $15 per person.
“Our pig is being roasted and prepared by our own chef extraordinaire Al Lakusta. He’s been doing it for us for years - he’s done a great job,” said Sallstrom.
The evening will be capped off with a crib tournament that’s open to anyone interested in dropping in, with the tournament starting at 7:30 p.m., and a free outdoor kids’ movie. The movie starts at dusk, sometime after 9:30 p.m. and people are invited to bring chairs and blankets and enjoy.
“On Sunday, we’ll be having a pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.,” he says, and the ball players will be fueled up to cap off their tournament. The concession stands will be open throughout the day.
Although Sallstrom hasn’t checked the weather yet, he says, “I’m requesting weather and blue skies,” and invites anyone interested in coming out to join the community to bring in Boscombe Days and a summer of fun.
