BFC’s Cornhole Tourney Features World Record Attempt

BERLIN — The bean bags will be flying later this month when the Berlin Fire Company (BFC) holds its 1st Annual Cornhole Tournament.

Besides offering a competitive bracket for pre-registered teams, the event will feature official Guinness World Record judges who will watch as participants attempt to break the current record for longest cornhole toss.

It will be a double-elimination style tournament with a cash prize for the top three teams. Though it’s their first run at a cornhole tournament, BFC officials are looking for a strong and competitive turnout both with registered teams as well as those interested in taking a shot at the individual world record.

“This is our first try so we would like to have 20-25 teams and 200-plus people attend to watch or try the world record toss,” said David Fitzgerald, BFC president.

The company has a reputation for holding popular fundraising events in Berlin but it’s trying something new by hosting the tournament.

“We wanted to have something different from our usual breakfasts and dinners,” said Fitzgerald. “Cornhole is a newer ‘sport’ that people seem to be interested in and we wanted to do something different.”

For those who aren’t coming as part of a team to compete, there’s still the chance to become a legend by breaking a world record.

“We wanted another item to draw people to the event and would allow for people to try the world record even if they are not participating as a team member in the tournament,” Fitzgerald said.

The tournament will be held Saturday, March 29, starting at 1 p.m. with doors opening at 11:30 a.m. Though this means the event will be taking place simultaneously with the town of Berlin’s Main Street party celebrating their designation as Budget Travel’s Coolest Small Town in America 2014, cooperation will be the keyword for the day.

“We have been assured by the mayor and town administrator the town will promote our event when they are advertising for their party and have the emcee encourage people downtown to attend the fire company event,” said Fitzgerald.

Besides cornhole, the event will feature a $10 general entry for all you can eat. For an additional $5, all you can eat also turns into an endless beer supply and a BFC mug to drink it from. There will be a cash bar for liquor, a 50/50 raffle, music by DJ Billy T and the chance to win a custom set of cornhole boards valued at over $300. The boards can be customized by the winners to be “made to anything you want.”

Teams that pre-register by March 22 cost $40, while teams that register on the day of the tournament will cost $50. Registration for the tournament comes with four free beer tickets and all you can eat food. For those hoping to immortalize their names by breaking the world record for longest toss, $5 will get you three shots.

For more information or to register, call 410-641-1977