UPDATE: Due to low temperatures, this event has been postponed until June 10.
As summer approaches each year, locals look forward to the opening of the YMCA’s outdoor pool — but there is a lot more in store for this Saturday’s celebration.
Executive Director Chris Booth spoke to Scope News about the many events and activities planned for what the Kernersville Family YMCA is calling the “Best Day Ever.”
The day’s activities kick off at 8 a.m. with the “dash and splash,” a biathlon that combines running with a cool dip in the pool. Other events include pickleball and three-on-three basketball tournaments.
The pool officially opens at 11 a.m. and guest fees will benefit the YMCA’s Annual Impact Fund.
“Anything with a tournament, anything where we’re going to be giving out awards, we’re asking for preregistration for that,” Booth advised.
Those interested in participating may register in person at the YMCA, 1113 West Mountain Street, or by contacting Booth at either 336-245-7213 or via email at c.booth@ymcanwnc.org.
Additional activities, including Softgolf, which is played with oversized clubs and foam balls, and disc golf will be free of charge and do not require sign-ups.
There will also be a craft market on the premises starting at 10 a.m. It is being hosted by Aixa Maria’s Gift Baskets and vendors will be set up inside and on the outdoor baseball field.
Booth explained that the event will serve as a fundraiser aimed at expanding access to the programs and initiatives that the YMCA provides to the community.
“We have typically held an annual fundraiser that’s been more like a gala,” Booth said. “It was called ‘Taste of the Season,’ and during the pandemic, you know, a lot of things kind of changed. So we also felt like it was time to try something different.”
The idea for “Best Day Ever” came to him one Saturday last year when he was struck by the number of people taking advantage of the facility’s amenities.
“So I got this notion of, hey, we’ve already got this dynamic where people are coming to the Y already, and then historically on the last Saturday of the month of May we always open our outdoor pools, so why don’t we do some kind of event that kind of surrounds the opening of the outdoor pool where we just add a couple of other little things to it and just make it a cool day,” he recalled.
The name not only reflects the fun atmosphere Booth and others at the YMCA will be working to create, but it is a play on Best Logistics, which has worked with the organization to pull off the multifaceted event.
Although it is a fundraiser, Booth noted that many of the planned activities will be free.
“There are some that are of cost, but all of the proceeds for that go to support our annual impact fund, which again makes sure that all people have access to participate in our programs,” he explained.
Click here for more information about this event.
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