Contributed Article
THATCHER — The time is upon the Gila Valley to sign up to see who will battle for bragging rights as the area’s top athletes show off their skills as part of the annual Pioneer Days Celebration.
The athletic events will all take place Saturday, July 22, and will feature the fourth annual volleyball and basketball tournaments.
Pioneer Days 5K & Fun Run
Brooke Curley Photo/Gila Valley Central: Runners enthusiastically begin the Pioneer Days 5K race in Thatcher at last year’s event.
The 5K & Fun Run start at 6 a.m. at the Thatcher High School Parking lot. The 5K will be a chip-timed race with awards and prizes.
Cost to register for the race is $10 per racer, and you must register by July 17 to be guaranteed a T-shirt and chip timer.
Co-Ed Volleyball Tournament
Contributed Photo/Courtesy Melvin Palmer: Last year’s winning volleyball team struts their stuff.
The co-ed volleyball tournament feature 6-on-6 teams but each team must have at least two members who are male and two members who are female on the court at all times. Games will take place from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at gymnasiums in Pima and Thatcher high schools and EAC.
Cost to register for the volleyball tournament is $35 per team and registration is due by July 18. Each team will have several round robin games followed by a single-elimination tournament.
3-on-3 Basketball Tournament
Contributed Photo/Courtesy Melvin Palmer: Last year, local ballers, from left, Carson Goodman, Jarrett Kartchner, Justin Kartchner and Trey Thompson came away victorious.
The 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament can have up to five players per team and takes place between 1-5 p.m. at gymnasiums in Pima and Thatcher high schools and EAC.
Cost to register for the basketball tournament is $25 per team and registration is due July 18. Each team will be guaranteed several round robin games followed by a single-elimination tournament.
To register or for more information on the tournaments and all other Pioneer Days activities, including the variety show, Pioneer Days Rodeo, dance and parade, visit www.gilavalleypioneerdays.com.
