Update: Dust Bowl President Byron Owens announced on July 5 a shortened schedule for the annual tournament starting on July 21 and ending on July 24. The new deadline to enter for teams is July 10.
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The annual Dust Bowl is returning for its 48th iteration after a year off due to the pandemic, with organizers hopeful to fill Kendall-Perkins park on July 21-24.
President Byron Owens said the basketball tournament is growing into a more diverse event and doesn’t think there’s anything like it in the country.
Owens has been a part of the Dust Bowl since he was 13. He would help in any way possible — be it trash pick up, painting or helping as a vendor. Over time, he has seen the Dust Bowl grow and his favorite part is the diversity in the people it attracts.
“The dream of the Dust Bowl when it was started was to bring people of all backgrounds together,” Owens said. “And today I see that dream from when the Dust Bowl started as a reality.”
The people attending range from the vendors promoting their service, to the basketball players enjoying the competition, to the guests enjoying the company of the community.
Owens said that they will be gathering vendors up to the first day of play, July 21. For those interested in playing, there is a tighter deadline. Team sign-ups will occur until July 10.
To register a team for one of the 14 Divisions or sign up as a vendor, click here to find out more.
