Time is inching closer to when some Bradford area teachers, police officers and firefighters will face off in a series of basketball games — all while riding donkeys.
The Bradford Area High School Choral Department is hosting a donkey basketball fundraising event that begins at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the high school gymnasium.
For the children especially, one of the organizers, Kim Hallock, said attendees will be able to see adult figures as “normal people.” Children often only see teachers in the classroom, for instance, she said.
The four teams of eight to 11 people will ride the donkeys and go head-to-head in a bracket-style series of basketball games. Whichever team scores more points during the 12-minute game is declared the winner.
The teams will include Bradford area police officers and firefighters, as well as teachers and staff from the high school, Floyd C. Fretz Middle School and School Street Elementary School. In addition, the high school team will include members of The Era (sports reporter Andy Close and advertising representative Leanna Cameron). The players will wear helmets and knee and elbow pads.
Although children won’t be able to take part in the games, they won’t be left out. During intermission, those 12 and under will be able to ride the donkeys.
And those at the event will also be able to purchase food.
“It think this donkey basketball event will be pretty awesome. I think it’s going to be a really nice event,” Hallock said on Thursday.
Hallock said the idea for donkey basketball grew out of an idea of wanting a fundraiser that is “outside the box” and makes it so students do not have to sell products.
Buckeye Donkey Basketball of Columbus will provide the donkeys. The company’s insurance will also be used in case the donkeys cause damage to the gym.
And, of course, given there will several donkeys in the gym, nature will come calling. After the event, a crew will clean up the mess, bringing some comedy to the disgusting chore.
Event organizers have no set a fundraising goal for the donkey basketball event, Hallock said.
“We’re just grateful for anything. We’re grateful for the turnout,” she said.
Tickets are $6 ahead of time, available at the three Northwest Savings Bank locations in the Bradford area or at Hallock’s store, Main Street Outlet. At the door, the tickets will be $8.
The Bradford Area High School Choral Department will use the proceeds to purchase music, uniforms and other items.
In the past, other schools in the four-county region have had donkey basketball games, including Otto-Eldred and Cameron County.
For more information about Bradford’s donkey basketball event, contact Hallock at 814-366-2524.
