The July 27 coed volleyball tournament Smackfest will continue as planned. The City Council on Tuesday approved the event application along with several revisions to previous years’ proceedings, including a participant cap of 600 and a maximum of 33 volleyball courts, down from last year’s 37. It was also agreed that eight security guards along with two city police officers will be present at the event.
“We’re definitely not trying to be like [Charlie Saikley] Six Man [Volleyball Tournament],” organizer Bill Sigler said. “I’ve been down there and there’re 50,000 people. The most we’ve ever had has been around 2,000. People do get dressed up and like to cut loose and have fun, but as you can see most people who play in our event are in their 30s, 40s and 50s. A lot of problems you have with the Six Man you’re just not going to have with our event.”
It was also agreed that promotional materials will be distributed that publicize the event’s zero tolerance for alcohol so that anyone caught with alcohol will be removed from the tournament. Security guards will also check coolers at the entry and remove any alcohol found.
“It’s not a reason for people to go out and drink. It’s a reason to go out and play volleyball, make new friends,” said Sigler. “That’s why people who support it really like it. It’s become a fun tournament.”
