For the first time since 2019, the Grays Harbor Hawks annual celebrity basketball game and fundraiser is set to return this weekend in Aberdeen.
The Grays Harbor Hawks, which is associated with the Special Olympics of Washington and organized solely by the dedication of hardworking volunteers, allows individuals within the developmental disabilities community to compete in a wide variety of sports programs year-round. The event, which is sponsored by Five Star Dealership among other local Harbor businesses, will feature a unique opportunity not previously seen in the previous 10 renditions of the annual celebrity basketball game.
“This is the first year we’ve actually had professional celebrities come and play. We’ve always just done local celebrities,” said Mary White, the fundraising chairperson of the Grays Harbor Hawks.
From former Seattle Seahawks players like Sean Locklear, Lofa Tatupu, Hillary Butler and Norm Johnson, to national champion Mario Bailey with the Washington Huskies, more than 10 professional celebrities will be taking part in the basketball game.
Guests will also see six local notable members of the Grays Harbor community such as Miss Grays Harbor’s Outstanding Teen Saylor Heikkila, Ocean Shores Assistant Fire Chief Brian Ritter, Hoquiam Fire Department Captain Larissa Rohr, retired Hoquiam Police Department Sergeant Shane Krohn, Aberdeen Athletics Nikki Stover and Quigg and Co Real Estate owner David Quigg.
The occasion will have food truck concessions, raffles, a live auction at halftime, as well as a silent auction. According to White, the live auction will consist of a plethora of prizes donated from the community and across the Puget Sound area such as tickets to the Professional Bull Riding Ariat Invitational in Tacoma, charter boat fishing trips, Kraken tickets, and Seahawks regular season tickets among other items. She also noted that the silent auction currently has 25 baskets worth of items to bid on ranging from $75 to $1,200 in value and that people can pay for their bids in card or cash.
“Everywhere I went, no one said no. It’s just amazing support from the community. It’s been unbelievable,” White said.
Contact Reporter Allen Leister at 360-463-3572 or allen.leister@thedailyworld.com
If you want to go:
For people who are interested in attending the Grays Harbor Hawks 11th annual celebrity basketball game and fundraiser, the event will be held from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 11, at Aberdeen High School. General Admission will be $5 and VIP tickets will be $25. According to White, VIP tickets allow guests to sit behind the bench where the players will be sitting and grant access to a meet and greet with the celebrities and athletes following the end of the game. Tickets can either be bought at the front entrance or online from the events page on Facebook.
