Hunter Elementary School will host a basketball tournament Friday night.
But, wait. This isn’t your normal basketball game.
This is a tournament with a twist; a large, furry four-legged twist.
This Friday night, a donkey ball tournament will be held as a fundraiser for the TLC Community Center. The game will begin at 7 in the gymnasium at Hunter Elementary.
The donkey ball game will feature multiple teams from local churches, businesses and community groups, each playing basketball while riding on the back of a donkey, TLC Director Angie Odom said.
“It’s a little different,” Odom said. “It’s a great way for families to have fun together and support a good cause.”
Odom said the idea of a donkey ball game came from Elizabethton Fire Marshal Jack Buckles, who is also a member of the center’s board of directors.
Buckles said he was familiar with the idea after having participated in donkey ball games for his church and with the Stoney Creek Volunteer Fire Department.
“They are really fun, and the community always loves them,” Buckles said. “It will be two hours of good, clean family fun. It is hilarious. There is a good chance you will be laughing the whole time.”
Buckles expects the gymnasium at the school to be packed out, with around 300-400 people attending. He said the last time a donkey ball game was held, additional seating had to be added along the edges of the ball court.
While there will be multiple teams participating in the game, Buckles has already predicted who would walk away from the game as a winner.
“I’ll tell you now, the donkeys always win,” Buckles said. “They are talented animals that have been trained to play the game, but they all have personalities of their own. It is definitely funny to see.”
The game is being coordinated by Bar H Events from Boiling Springs, N.C.
Tickets are available at the door and are $6 for adults and $4 for children.
Odom said there is still a chance for teams to sign up for the tournament. Players need to be 18 years old or older. For more information, contact Odom at 543-4673.