BV’s 20th annual Pigskin Classic pared down to handful of youth, BVHS sports and Biz Bash

Although the 20th annual Pigskin Classic won’t be the large-scale event it has been the past 19 years, Brandon Valley pride will be big as ever this Saturday.

In respect to COVID-19, mitigation efforts have whittled the 2020 Pigskin Classing down to just a handful of events.

“It’s modified because it had to be modified,” said Randy Marso, activities director for the Brandon Valley School District. “The things that are continuing are the things that can be done safely, and they can space out, still giving those that participate a good experience.”

The Pigskin Classic – the Booster Club’s biggest fundraiser of the year – will consist of just a few events: a 5K run/walk, 3-on-3 basketball tournament, boys and girls soccer games in the morning and a volleyball match that afternoon.

The 5K is slated for a 7:30 a.m. start and 3-on-3 basketball tourney tips off 9 a.m. at the high school parking lot.

The Lady Lynx soccer team hosts Sioux Falls Washington at 10 a.m., and the Lynx boys and Warriors take the field at noon. Both varsity matches will be played at the BVHS Stadium.

Inside the BV Activities Center that same afternoon, the Lady Lynx volleyball team welcomes Sioux Falls Christian to the court. Play will get underway at 2 p.m.

The Boosters will also be selling new styles of spirit wear near 3-on-3 hoops.

At 7 p.m., the Lynx football team kicks off their 2020 season against Sioux Falls Roosevelt. The game ball will be presented at 6:40 p.m. and as always, the Pig Auction – pig courtesy of Bly Brothers and processing by Renner Locker – will take place at halftime.

Across Splitrock Boulevard, the Brandon Valley Area Chamber of Commerce’s Biz Bash will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Splitrock Square parking lot. Kidpreneur Market will also be held in conjunction with the Biz Bash, where youngsters will do business from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The combined event has traditionally been held in the high school commons, as is its kid-friendly sidekick, but the COVID pandemic has pushed both events outdoors this year.

“I’m hoping Biz Bash, being outdoors, will draw a good crowd to our vendor booths – because it is outdoors,” said BVACC director Rachael Neiman. “This isn’t exactly how we anticipated Biz Bash going, but I do think that it might be a blessing in disguise.”

The BVACC debuted Kidpreneur in 2017 as a collection of local youngsters selling handmade items like bubble bath, truffles and Christmas decor and advertising services such as dog-walking or lawn care.

The Chamber will be gifting free “Buy Brandon” tote bags to attendees and kids’ activities will include free cotton candy, a coloring contest and inflatables, courtesy of Brandon ACE.

Hand sanitizer stations will be available, Nieman said.