Get ready to 'Throwdown' in the Smelter City, as up to 200 teams expected for cornhole tourney
The 2022 Smelter City Throwdown was a big event, but organizers are expecting this year's to be its biggest yet with as many as 200 teams playing in the two-day cornhole tournament, set for Aug. 11-12 at Legion Field in Washoe Park. Leader file photo
Cornhole enthusiasts and fun-lovers alike are sure to have a good time on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 11-12 as the annual Smelter City Throwdown returns to Washoe Park’s Legion Baseball Field.
Tournament organizer Paul Lorengo spoke about this year’s tournament and how it is shaping up to be one of their best events to date, “I believe this is the fourth year of us doing this and we will have teams coming to Anaconda from all across the Pacific Northwest,” said Lorengo. “It’s one of – if not the biggest – cornhole tournaments in Montana.”
Playing off of the tournament’s acclaim, Lorengo said that he anticipates most of his 150-200 teams to come from Montana, but added that several teams are coming from Idaho, Washington, Wyoming and other nearby states.
Similar to last year, the throwdown will feature several different divisions and events.
“We’ve got multiple divisions of competitiveness from your advanced players to front-yard throwers,” said Lorengo. “It truly is for all skill levels and ages.”
While many people may see cornhole as tailgating activity, Lorengo said that five professional cornhole players will descend upon the Smelter City and that he hopes to attract more big names in the future.
Additionally, one of the more unique events in this year’s Throwdown is the Blind Draw, which will take place on Friday night, Aug. 11. All a player needs to do, Lorengo said, is pay $10 and then he or she will be randomly placed in a pair with another individual.
While the tournament stands as a means of friendly competition, Lorengo said that the tournament’s mission goes far beyond bags and boards.
“We want to market this as a community event that benefits kids. The cornhole is just a great excuse for us to help with that,” he said.
To help with this goal, Lorengo brothers Paul and Bryan established their own non-profit, the Smelter City Foundation, which helps put this tournament on. Lorengo stated that around $30,000 has been raised in the first three years of the tournament, all of which went to kids programs in the area.
Along with proceeds going to a good cause, local businesses will also be involved and Lorengo encourages community members to come out and show their support for local companies even if they have no interest in playing. Additionally, the West Valley Volunteer Fire Department will be selling food on the stadium and Lorengo said this event tends to be their biggest fundraiser of the year.
Registration for the Smelter City Throwdown is still open and you can do so online at https://www.smeltercitythrowdown.org/events.
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