Haynes Apperson Sports Festival Gears Up For Big Return

Jun 14

Haynes Apperson Sports Festival Brings Thousands Together in Kokomo

By: HEIDI PRUITT
The Kokomo Post Staff

The Haynes Apperson Sports Festival began alongside the Haynes Apperson Festival at its origin in 1976. The Haynes Apperson Festival celebrates the automotive heritage of Kokomo with carnival rides and food, live music, vendors, and so much more! The Sports Festival is a favored addition to everyone’s favorite summer event and has grown throughout the years. It brings thousands of people from across the state together to participate in over a dozen sports. Dana Neer, the chairman of the sports festival, has been working behind the scenes for the last 14 years.

“From the beginning, we wanted to offer a lot of things for our festival that would attract a wide variety of people to take part,” said Neer.

With 15 different sports to choose from, participants, volunteers, and observers can gather together over a shared interest. The Haynes Apperson Sports Festival is an inclusive event and is open to all ages and skill levels. One of the most beloved events is the Kid’s Track Meet which is open for ages 2 to 10.

“We’re seeing third-generational families participate,” said Neer. “Grandpa did it, then his daughter did it, and now his grandson is participating. It’s a family tradition.”

Two new events, pickleball and disc golf have been added to this year’s sports festival lineup.

The sporting competitions take place all over the city of Kokomo, allowing attendees to experience different aspects of our city.

“It takes this community effort to make this happen, we’re spread out enough geographically we’re able to accomplish it all.”

Neer attributes the success of the Haynes Apperson Festival to its three sponsors, Dr. Don Rogers Dentistry, Community First Bank of Indiana and Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Kokomo.

Sports Festival participants travel from all over to attend this event, said Neer. An average of 1,500 people participate, which requires the additional help of around 75 volunteers.

“We’re proud of our town, we’re proud of our community. We are a community that has withstood some economic difficulty and has risen to the top,” he said. “Our city is beautiful. I love having many of these events go through the city of the Kokomo. People come to Kokomo and see how nice it is. Some will stay the night, and go to restaurants, it’s a great economic boost to our city.”

Sports Festival Lineup:

Haynes Apperson Kids Track Meet

When: 9 a.m. Saturday, July 2
Where: Kokomo Municipal Stadium 400 S. Union St.
Contact: Tiffany Massey haynesappersonkidstrackmeet@gmail.com
Cost: $3 per event
Additional Information: Registration is due by June 22 - Click here for more information.

Karate Tournament

When: 10 a.m. Saturday, July 2
Where: Memorial Gym
Contact: Kyoshi Eddie Bethea - 765-452-4286
Cost: $50
Click here for more information.

Golf Tournament

When: Saturday, July 2 (Call for Tee-time)
Where: Chippendale Golf Course
Contact: Jim Humphrey 765-453-7079
Cost: $10 per person plus green fee and cart fee
Additional Information: Registration is due before June 22 - Click here for more information.

Corn Hole Tournament

When: 4 p.m. Saturday, July 2
Where: Gazebo on SW Corner of Kokomo Beach
Contact: Ray Tetrault 765-434-1054
Cost: $10 per team
Additional Information: Registration due before June 22
Click here for more information.

Pole Vaulting

When: Saturday, July 2 Start time TBA
Where: Superior St. Across from Foster Park
Contact: Randy Everetts 765-438-0654
Cost: $25
Additional Information: Registration is due before June 17 - Click here for more information.

Men’s Slow-Pitch Softball

When: Saturday, July 2, and Sunday, July 3
Where: Northwest Park 1600 W. Judson Rd.
Contact: Torrey Roe 765-456-7275
Cost: $200 per team
Additional Information: Registration due before June 22
Click here for more information.

Ladies Slow-Pitch Softball

When: Saturday, July 2, and Sunday, July 3
Where: Northwest Park 1600 W. Judson Rd.
Contact: Torrey Roe 765-456-7275
Cost: $200 per team
Additional Information: Registration is due before June 22 - Click here for more information.

Sun Stroke 74 (74-mile cycling)

When: Saturday, July 2
Where: Sun King 500 N. Buckeye St.
Contact: Daun Enyart- pr@breakaway.club
Cost: Pre-register by 6/15 starting at $30 (T-shirt available for purchase), Pre-register 6/15-7/2 online only starting at $35, for Day of registration $45 (no T-shirt)
Additional Information: Registration is due before June 17 - Click here for more information.

5K Run/Walk

When: Saturday, July 2
Where: Register at YMCA
Contact: Mark Sutton, mark.sutton@kokomoymca.org, 765-457-4447
Cost: $20 Early Bird until June 17 Late Registration until July 1 - Click here for more information.

3-on-3 Basketball (Students)

When: 9 a.m. Saturday July 2
Where: Foster Park Basketball Courts
Contact: Donta Rogers -765-457-9318
Cost: $60 for a 4 person team
Additional Information: Registration due before June 22
Click here for more information.

3 on 3 Basketball (adults)

Canoe Trip on the Wildcat Creek

When: Saturday, July 2
Where: Water Works Park
Contact: Gary Hill - Cell: 765-432-6782 Home: 765-628-3155
Click here for more information.

Volleyball Tournament

When: 8:30 a.m. check-in Saturday, June 25
Where: Jackson Morrow Park Sand Courts
Contact: Jason Watson - 765.419.4408
Cost: $60/4 person team (additional players $15) - Click here for more information.

Tennis Tournament

When: June 30 to July 2
Where: KHS Tennis Courts
Contact: Kristine Miller - 765-432-4366 www.akmillertennis.blogspot.com
Cost: $13 doubles/ $17 singles
Additional Information: Registration due June 20 - Click here for more information.

Disc Golf Tournament

When: July 2
Where: Highland Park
Contact: Benji Zirkle
http://www.discgolfscene.com/feedback/tournament?tournament_id=49380
Cost: $40/team
Additional Information: Registration is due June 22 - Click here for more information.

Pickleball Tournament

When: July 2
Where: Carver Center
Contact: 765-457-9318 | http://kokomocarver.org
Cost: $25 per person, additional division $10
Additional Information: Registration is due June 22 - Click here for more information.

Heidi Pruitt