Chamber, BVSD plan ‘modified’ Biz Bash, Pigskin Classic

Brandon’s 20th annual Pigskin Classic has been whittled down to just a handful of events on Saturday, Aug. 29, while the Chamber’s annual business expo and Kidpreneur Market are moving outside and to a new location due to concerns surrounding COVID-19.

“It’s modified because it had to be modified,” explained Randy Marso, activities director for the Brandon 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: the 3-on-3 basketball tournament, the cheer camp and the 5K run/walk.

The 5K will step off at 7:30 a.m., and both the cheer camp and basketball tourney kick off at 9 a.m. at the high school practice football field and parking lot, respectively.

The cheer camp attendees traditionally perform before the centerpiece of Pigskin Saturday – the evening football game – but they won’t this year. 

Blanket sales have also been called off. Lynx fans typically begin lining up early to reserve stadium seating for the team’s first home football game of the season; however, the BVSD has implemented a modified plan for public attendance at sporting events this fall. 

The district issued a statement Friday with an attendance policy limiting attendees to four guests per rostered participant in varsity football, soccer, cheer, dance and volleyball. The full statement may be read in its entirety on the high school website. 

Meanwhile, across Splitrock Boulevard, the Brandon Valley Area Chamber of Commerce’s Biz Bash will be held 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Splitrock Square parking lot.

The event is traditionally held in the high school commons, as is its kid-friendly sidekick, the Kidpreneur Market, 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,” noted 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. 

Kidpreneur will run 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and registration for both events is open now on the Chamber’s website and Facebook page. Kidpreneur booth space is free.

The Chamber will hand out free “Buy Brandon” tote bags to stash vendor-related goodies in, and kids’ activities will include free cotton candy, a coloring contest and inflatables provided by Ace Hardware.

Setup for the vendors will be in the southwest corner of the Splitrock Square parking lot, and hand sanitizer stations will be available, Nieman said.

To learn more, contact the BVACC at 582-7400 or the high school at 582-3211.