Cooper Blackledge hopes to give area residents something more to do during the daytime hours of the Fourth of July this year.
Blackledge is organizing Graveyard Games, a water volleyball tournament and summer party planned for Saturday, July 4, at Neosho Riverwalk Park in Council Grove. The event will include a water volleyball tournament, foam pit for children, beer garden, cornhole and other activities leading up to the evening fireworks show at the Riverwalk.
Blackledge said the event has the endorsement and approval of the City of Council Grove.
The idea came together after Blackledge attended a similar event in Herington, where his sister had entered a water volleyball tournament. He said the event was small, but it gave him the idea that something similar could be held in Council Grove during the day on the Fourth of July.
“As far as I knew, there were no events for people to do during the day,” Blackledge said, adding that many people wait until nighttime for fireworks. He said he began working on ideas that same evening, considering activities, sponsors, partnerships and how the event could be funded.
The event has been in the works for about a month. Blackledge said he partnered with Tulip’s Beer Joint & Pool Hall, which will operate the beer garden during the event.
The water volleyball tournament will be played in a large inflatable area with ankle-deep water and a volleyball net. Blackledge said the net is lower than a standard volleyball net because of the added difficulty of playing while standing, splashing and sliding in water.
The tournament will be open to teams of four. The entry fee is $40 per team, and Blackledge said he would like to have 16 teams participate, although he would be pleased with 10 to 16 teams. The winning team will receive 50 percent of the tournament pot, with the remainder helping cover event expenses.
The event will open at 11 a.m., with the tournament scheduled to begin at noon. Blackledge said the tournament will be double elimination, so a team would have to lose twice before being eliminated. Each match will be one game, with the first team to reach 21 points winning the game.
The championship round is expected to be played sometime in the evening, possibly around 7 p.m., depending on how quickly the tournament progresses.
Blackledge said trophies and medals will be awarded, and additional prizes are planned for such categories as best team name and best team outfits. He said part of the fun of the tournament will be encouraging teams to dress up, create team names and make the event entertaining for both participants and spectators.
In addition to the tournament, a foam pit will be available for children. Blackledge said the foam pit will be set up in an inflatable area, with a foam shooter creating a place for children to play. He said the goal is to provide an activity that families and children can enjoy during the day.
Cornhole will also be available throughout the day. Those attending are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and their own outdoor games to share.
Blackledge said he purchased the inflatable equipment after being unable to find rentals. He said the investment was significant, but his hope is that Graveyard Games can become an annual Fourth of July event in Council Grove.
The primary sponsors for Graveyard Games are Graveyard Ink and Tulip’s Beer Joint & Pool Hall. Other sponsors include Adams Homestore, Bachura Family Automotive, Butler Construction, Integrative Foot Care, Kansas Graphics, Peterson Lumber & Hardware, The Roost CG, Matthew Sigle of Sigle Repair/ Fencing, The Tire Shop and Weathered Wood Home.
Registration is now open for teams. Those interested in entering the water volleyball tournament may call or text 620-767-3131 to reserve a spot and arrange payment.
Blackledge said he hopes the event gives people of all ages something fun to do before the fireworks begin.
- Log in or Subscribe to post comments.