The Owensboro Dust Bowl basketball tournament returns to Kendall-Perkins Park on Tuesday, creating a community vibe unlike any other. The longstanding tradition has been an Owensboro staple for 49 years, using food, music, entertainment, and most importantly, hoops, to induce unparalleled emotions.
The event has been free to spectators since its inception, offering high-octane basketball, exhibitors, vendors, and concessions far from your typical fanfare. Tournament director Byron Owen said every evening is a homecoming, allowing people to reunite with family, friends, and classmates.
“It’s been around for 49 years,” Owen said. “People like to come home when they find out when the Dust Bowl is. It’s great seeing them reunite with old friends and family.”
Owen said the beauty of the event lies in its ability to bring folks together. When Jerry Davenport created the tournament in 1974, his ultimate vision was to bring together people of all races, colors, religions, nationalities, and ages.
“This event is for the people — they are what makes it,” he said. “It’s about diversity, people of all walks of life are bumping elbows during this event, and that’s what makes it great.”
The tournament will feature double-elimination brackets for the following divisions:
- Men’s Open
- Boys High School (9th – 12th Grades)
- Boys 7th & 8th Grade
- Boys 5th & 6th Grade
- Boys 5th & 6th Grade 3v3
Owen said it was unfortunate that no girls’ teams registered for this year’s event. He’s hopeful that more will consider the tournament in the future.
Praise in the Park, an inspiring gospel celebration, kicks things off at 7 p.m. on Sunday. Wednesday is Kid’s Day and features inflatables and activities organized by local police and fire departments.
Owen said the event wouldn’t be possible without the endless support of the community and local sponsors. He said an event of this nature requires substantial financial resources, and they are always looking for new sponsors.
To view the bracket for this year’s Dust Bowl and to see the schedule of games, head here.
