During the last four years, one of Make A Difference Day's most talked about events has been the Cornhole Tournament.
This year, new twists are in store for area cornhole aces on Oct. 27.
"We are adding a competitive singles tournament, a women's singles event and a long toss," event coordinator Ted Snyder said. "People have enjoyed the doubles competition so much in the past, we figured why not expand things with it."
The competitive singles tournament requires a $50 entry fee and also will offer a 50 percent payback in prize money.
"Especially for the guys coming from really far away, the singles tournament gives them an extra shot to have some fun and win some money," Snyder said. "That's probably the biggest reason why we added these extra divisions."
The women's singles event asks a $20 entry fee per player and promises a 50 percent payback in prize money.
The long toss event is a standard side game in most cornhole tournaments and will be held at the event for the first time this year. Contestants will pay $5 for three cornhole bags, and the prize will go to the person who makes the longest throw into the hole. That event also will offer a 50 percent payout.
As usual, the Tribune Chronicle's featured event of the day remains the doubles tournament.
Last year's tournament pitted Dale Smith of Campbellsville, Ky., and Steve Vanderver of Norwood against 2009 champion Matt Guy of Alexandria, Ky., and Randy Atha of Sharonville. Smith and Vanderver won the grand prize.
This year's tournament still will have the standard 128-team doubles format with double elimination. The cost is $50 per team, and the grand prize is $1,000. With a $500 prize for second place, $300 for third and $200 for fourth.
Proceeds from the tournament go to the Hope Chest Foundation 12 Ways of Christmas program. During the economic recession of 1981, the Tribune Chronicle started the Hope Chest Foundation to ensure that needy families had a happy holiday.
The tournament will be held in Courthouse Square, but it will begin at 9 a.m. instead of the usual 10. The adjustment was made to compensate for the new events.
Make A Difference Day is a national day of volunteerism held the fourth Saturday in October and sponsored locally by the Tribune Chronicle and nationally by USA Weekend Magazine.
Visit www.tribtoday.com and click on the Make A Difference Day link to register a project, see what projects are available and need volunteers, volunteer yourself, and print out forms, including the cornhole tournament registration form.