Food and Fun for BAYS

The Bay Area Youth Sports (BAYS) boosters held their 4th Annual BBQ on Saturday at the Elks Club in Arnold. Each year over 250 parents, coaches and youth have turned out to enjoy the festivities and support the program’s efforts to raise money for local sports teams.

The Elks' large outdoor pavilion was crowded with families enjoying BBQ chicken, pork and beef all perfectly grilled by former DC firemen Steve Kevan, Brett Sutor and Larry Glenn, owners of HI I QUE Caterers. There were also plenty of side dishes, cold drinks, and, for the adults, beer and a cash bar.

Around the pavilion kids of all ages were loving the free snowballs offered in a dozen different flavors or running around enjoying the perfect June afternoon. Many of the young athletes brought their LAX sticks to put together a quick pick up game or to just practice their throwing and catching with other teammates. 

The 50/50 game and restaurant and iRaffles were also a big attraction. The iRaffle tickets were $10 each and prizes included an iPad, iTouch and an iHome Docking System. The restaurant raffle was $1 for a ticket to win one of 15 local restaurant gift certificates.

David and Kelly from Chesapeake Entertainment added to the fun with music the youth would enjoy during the afternoon (while they planned on changing it up when the "adults only" portion of the night began at 8 p.m.).

“The kids like the Top 40 but the parents like to hear more of the 80’s old rock,” said experienced DJ David.

The organizers of the event, Tim Berquist and Cathy Hunteman, give the credit for the event’s success to the many parent volunteers who contribute time and/or raffle items.

“The parents bring in a lot of resources to the table and we couldn’t put this on without them,” said Hunteman.

“It costs about $8,000 to put on this event and each year we’ve taken in between $10,000 and $12, 000,” said Berquist.

The proceeds go directly to improving all of the youth sports programs. Each of the BAYS sports (basketball, lacrosse, soccer and field hockey) has a commissioner that a coach can go to for funds to purchase equipment, uniforms and gym rental fees. The money can also go towards field improvements and anything else the coaches and commissioners identify as necessary items to help the young athletes get the most out of their BAYS athletic experience.

Donna Horst was volunteering at the BAYS gear table on Saturday.

“This is an absolutely outstanding program and opportunity for the area boys and girls to get involved in sports,” said Horst. “Tim Berquist is my 14-year-old son’s lacrosse coach and his passion for the sport is always relayed to the players; he’s a great coach!”

With this event, Berquist and the other volunteers who teach the skills of the game on and off the field are provided additional support to get the job done.