Mt. Juliet's annual pickleball fundraiser for shelter animals returns to Charlie Daniels Park on Saturday, Oct. 3, for its fourth year.
The Pickles for Pups tournament, presented by First Financial Bank, raises money for Mt. Juliet Animal Care & Control, the city department responsible for homeless dogs and cats. All proceeds go to the shelter, according to Wilson County Source.
Play begins at 8 a.m.
The one-day outdoor tournament offers three doubles categories: women's, men's and mixed, according to the city's event page. No singles play is offered, and each player may enter only one category. All skill levels are welcome, according to the Mt. Juliet Buzz newsletter.
Beyond the courts, the event includes food trucks, prizes, raffles and a silent auction. The What's Up Mt. Juliet newsletter described the tournament as "a fun local tradition" that brings together pickleball players and animal lovers in its fourth year at the park.
Vybes, a Mt. Juliet community app and social media outlet, posted a preview on Tuesday, Sept. 29:
@LocalVybes: "Got a doubles partner for Saturday? Every dollar goes to Mt Juliet's shelter dogs and cats."
Mt. Juliet Parks & Recreation organizes the tournament. Residents who want to register or get details can call the department at 615-758-6522. The office is at 1075 Charlie Daniels Pkwy. in Mt. Juliet.
The tournament format keeps things simple: pick one doubles category, find a partner and show up ready to play. Players cannot compete in more than one bracket, so teams should decide between women's, men's or mixed doubles before registering.
Anyone who wants to support the shelter but skip the court can still browse the silent auction, grab food from the trucks and buy raffle tickets. Every dollar raised Saturday goes directly to care and services for animals at Mt. Juliet Animal Care & Control, which can be reached at 615-773-5533.
The silent auction opens alongside tournament play at Charlie Daniels Park at 8 a.m. Saturday.
