CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Rainstorms and crackling thunder weren’t enough to deter the yearly cornhole tournament from playing out this weekend.
Players let bags fly during Black Dog Animal Rescue’s 5th Annual Cornhole Tournament and Block Party at Blue Raven Brewery on Saturday. Thirty-nine teams were lined up along East 18th Street in downtown Cheyenne for the double-elimination tournament as dark skies and distant thunder loomed overhead. Local group Moose Cornhole ran the sports competition with the animal rescue.
The tournament is one way BDAR tries to “spread good vibes in the summer,” said Paige Russell, marketing and development manager at the animal rescue. The community competition also serves as a fundraiser for year-round animal rescue operations, such as cost for spaying and neutering, animal vaccinations, dental care and surgery. In 2023, the cornhole competition raised between $40,000 and $50,000 for the organization.
Players in teams of two competed in either an upper or lower division; teams were separated into one of the divisions after competing in a round robin. The top three teams for each division won cash prizes, with the teams in the upper division also receiving trophies for their tournament placements.
The following teams won in their respective divisions this year:
Upper Division
- First: Organized Chaos
- Second: J&J
- Third: Get merc’d
Lower Division
- First: KFC
- Second: Great Cornholios
- Third: L C Baggers