Residents Set To Play At North Port Games

Part of the city’s 50th anniversary celebration, the North Port Games will take place on Saturday, April 4, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Dallas White Park, 5900 Greenwood Ave., North Port

Everyone will be a winner at this event for one simple reason: It’s free!

The day’s events will include everything from ping-pong, jump rope and hula hoop contests to skateboard competition, 50- and 100-yard dashes, swimming, biking and softball. There will even be a poster-decorating contest and a Jazzercise express class. Anyone who wants to participate in the fun can do so for free.

According to event organizers, the only thing people will have to pay for is food. There will be a variety of vendors and concessionaires.

For kids, the Gene Matthews Boys & Girls Club will sponsor fun activities such as a beanbag toss, potato sack race and egg relay race. There will be face-painting, bounce houses and a water slide.

There will be a Tae Kwon Do demonstration at 11:30 a.m., a boxing exhibition from noon to 2 p.m., karate demonstrations at 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. and fitness classes at 2 and 3 p.m. Charlotte County Motorsports Park will display its Race Cars and Race Karts.

Residents planning on registering a large group for a specific activity are encouraged to do so by Tuesday, March 31. There will be early registration on the day of the event beginning at 7 a.m. All attendees, whether they have registered for an event or not, should check in with event organizers at the pavilion area when they arrive.

The first 1,500 registrants will receive a city anniversary ribbon. Registration forms are available at the North Port Area Chamber of Commerce, 15141 Tamiami Trail; at the North Port Library, 13800 S. Tamiami Trail; and a several other locations around the area. Forms also are available online.

Call Joan or Ed Morgan at 941-423-5752.