The Bainbridge Island Historical Museum will conduct its third annual Pickleball Tournament from August 8 through 14 – coming up very soon! This tournament with the funny name is one of the Museum’s major fundraisers this year. It is expected to draw players from throughout the Pacific Northwest – and from all over the U.S. The Founders Tournament is sanctioned by the USA Pickleball Association (the USAPA). It will take place on Battle Point Park’s six new Pickleball courts.

For families interested in learning the game, a free family clinic will be offered on Thursday afternoon, August 11, after tournament play has ended. Sign up for the free clinic at the Bainbridge Island Historical Museum’s booth at the Tournament.

An additional, family-oriented event will take place on Saturday, August 13, featuring dinner provided by Sauced. Sauced is “the official Filipino Fusion food truck of Kitsap County.” Dinner includes three choices: Chicken Adobo, Pork Adobo, and vegetarian Tacos. For the kids: The “Mini G,” with Chicken or Pork Adobo. Dinner for adults costs $25 and kids for $8 and includes a free soft drink or water.

Bainbridge Island’s own local band, SOCKEYE, a popular dance band featuring noted keyboard player Steve Crampton, will appear on the Parks Stage adjacent to Battle Point’s covered picnic area from 5 pm to 7 pm. This music will coincide with the tournament’s dinner benefitting the Bainbridge Historical Museum set to begin at the same time.

Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in America – and it started right here! The sport was invented in the summer of 1965, by three Islanders, Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell and Barney McCallum.  To honor the three founders, the Museum named the event The Bainbridge Island Founders Tournament. This local tournament is a great way to celebrate Pickleball’s growth and its important contribution to the rich history of Bainbridge.

In conjunction with the tournament, the Museum will have a historic display about the history of the game and will be organizing free beginners’ clinics at the courts so more people of all ages can learn and appreciate the game. The Museum will also be offering tours to “Court #1,” the former badminton court at Pleasant Beach, where the very first Pickleball game was played.

Online tournament registration is open.

www.pickleballtournaments.com or www.bainbridgehistory.org