Hawks to host annual spring fling this weekend

by Angie Asam, Staff Writer

Memorial Day weekend in Hawks is buzzing with activity, as the annual Spring Fling celebration is ongoing throughout the town. This year marks the 20th year the event has been held and grand marshals Chuck and Kay Rhode don?t believe they have missed one yet. The Rhodes are usually found at the softball fields watching the action. In the past both of their sons, Gary ?Zeke? and Charles Jr. ?Herb? were on the ball field; now they watch grandsons Chris and John battle on the field for the title of Spring Fling champions.

Chuck and Kay are the parents of three, Gary, Charles Jr. and Susan and have eight grandchildren; Andrea, Chris, John, Taylor, Danielle, Isaac, Caleb and Gavin. ?I don?t know why we were selected, I am just along for the ride. I?ve got my Queen Elizabeth wave down,? said Charles.

With talks in the past few years of not having the Spring Fling event, the Rhodes are glad to see the tradition continue. ?It is always a good time,? said Charles. Charles and Kay will lead the grand parade scheduled for 1 p.m. on Sunday. MANY EVENTS are planned as a part of the annual Spring Fling celebration beginning on Friday night with Roar Shack performing outside the Nighthawk Inn from 9:30 p.m. until 1:30 a.m.

Saturday begins with the men?s slowpitch softball tournament. The tournament kicks off at 9:30 a.m. at both Metz and Hawks fields. All games will be held in Hawks following the 10:45 a.m. game Saturday as well as all games on Sunday.

Saturday at 9:30 a.m. Great Lakes Belt will take on Bud Select in Metz while Hawks Mini Mart takes on Ron Kasky Painting in Hawks. At 10:45 a.m. in Metz Oasis will take on Burton?s Last Resort while Grekas and Pub Crawl will square off in Hawks. The winner of the Hawks Mini Mart/Ron Kasky Painting game will then take on Blatz at noon in Hawks. Games will be played throughout the day Saturday with the final game at 6:15 p.m. Games will begin again at 9:30 a.m. Sunday with the finals tentatively set for 3:45 p.m. The tournament features nine teams and is double elimination.

The Hawks Community Improvement Association will be serving hot dogs, pop and nachos at the ball fields throughout the day Saturday and Sunday.

A chicken barbecue will also be served at Nighthawk beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday and at noon on Sunday. The menu includes one-half chicken, baked beans, potato salad and a roll.

Roar Shack will be performing again on Saturday night from 9:30 p.m. until 1:30 a.m. SUNDAY IS a day filled with activities beginning with the ball tournament, followed by the parade. Immediately following the parade a memorial service will be held at Memorial Park as well as a sawdust pile for the kids and game booths provided by the Teenage Republicans. The Wade Corpus Trio will be performing at Nighthawk Sunday from 2-5 p.m.

A horseshoe tournament will also be held on Sunday with registration beginning at 2:30 p.m. at the Nighthawk. The event is a two-man team event with a double-elimination format.

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