The 33rd Annual Dust Bowl saw a gathering of students, players and community at the Festus Claybon Park.
Light of Chance Director Eric Logan said the Dust Bowl in Madisonville annual summer basketball tournament has a long-standing tradition. In 2009, Light of Chance took over the event and began using it as a platform to unite and restore the family unit and community while bringing awareness to health issues.
Logan said when Light of Chance took over the event, they wanted to make it more than just a basketball tournament to include helping the community with school supplies, provide free back-to-school haircuts, health screenings and other services.
Logan said Light of Chance has transformed the Dust Bowl into more than just a fun tradition. Over the course of the weekend, the event attracts more than 5,000 attendees and more than 300 people are screened for high blood pressure and diabetes.
More than 200 free back-to-school haircuts and hair-dos for boys and girls are provided as well as school supplies for more than 400 students ranging from preschool to college.
“The event helps meet many of the needs of Madisonville and the surrounding communities at back-to-school time,” said Logan.
Baptist Health was on-site providing free health screenings on Saturday from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. The free health screenings included blood pressure, glucose and BMI.
There were giveaways and educational information offered by the Kentucky Cancer Program, Hopkins County Health Department and Hopkins County Community Clinic.
Baptist Health Marketing and Public Relations Coordinator said Baptist Health was also providing athletic training services to the athletes and referees on Saturday.
This year, the event added a college fair and a voter registration booth, said Logan.
He said the Dust Bowl is not only one of the largest events in the community, but also in the region.
This year, they had 13 teams in the tournament with semi-pro and local athletes and high school and college standouts participating.
“It is an elite level of basketball,” said Logan.
Logan said they really take pride in the tournament and in the event as a whole.
“We could not do it without all the community support and the community really embraces it,” said Logan. “Everybody looks forward to the Dust Bowl weekend and I love seeing the range of age from little babies to grandmothers and grandfathers. I love being able to bring something of this level to the community.”
Looking back, Logan has seen not only the crowd grow but also with more diversity.
“It’s all about bringing the entire community together for a great cause,” said Logan.
Proceeds from the event benefit the Breathe – Youth Arts Program.
Breathe provides free afterschool arts sessions, for grades five-12 at the Rosenwald-Smith Multicultural Center located at 208 N. Kentucky Avenue.
Logan said Breathe develops creativity while providing a positive learning environment for area youth to express themselves, engage in important issues and experience personal and social transformation through the arts.
Since its inception, Breath has served more than 230 children, said Logan.
Tammy Holloway, SurfKY News