Softball tournament, BBQ to benefit Katelyn's Kause this weekend

Warwick — The third annual Katelyn’s Kause Softball Tournament and Kid’s Fair is scheduled for this weekend, July 14 and 15, at Mid-Orange Correctional Facility, just off Kings Highway. Katelyn’s Kause is a non-profit charitable organization founded in memory of Katelyn Knebel, who died in 2004 at the age of 17 after a four-year battle with Ewing’s Sarcoma, a rare form of cancer of the bone and soft tissue. Katelyn’s good friend, Meghann Doyle, helps run the event, along with Katelyn’s uncle, Gary Knebel, a corrections officer. “Last year we raised $13,500, which we donated to several different foundations, including the Brian Ahearn Fund, the Brittney Miller Fund and the Ewing’s Sarcoma Fund,” said Doyle. “They all do such wonderful things for families who have sick children.” This year the group is shooting for $30,000 in donations. Festivities start on Saturday at 9 a.m. with the ceremonial first pitches being tossed by Village of Warwick Mayor Michael Newhard and Town of Warwick Supervisor Michael Sweeton. Eighteen teams have signed up for the tournament, which runs throughout the day Saturday and again on Sunday. A chicken barbecue for $10 a person will be held on Saturday afternoon and the Hudson Blue Party Band will provide entertainment from 3 to 8 p.m. Cops Care will be there to do finger printing and photo ids for kids. Sunday will be the first time the event is hosting a horseshoe tournament. It begins with registration at noon. The fee to enter is $25, which includes the tournament and the day’s barbecue, a pig roast. The Orange County Correction Officers will be facing off against the crew from WRRV radio in a 1 p.m. softball game. In addition, the group is adding a kid’s fair on both days. A bouncy castle, face painting, and organized games, such as a three-legged race, will be held for the kids, all free of charge. Sunday will also be a get-together for the Warwick Valley High School class of 1987, which is holding its reunion this weekend. Raffles will be on-going throughout the weekend, including a big prize of the winner’s choice of an Arctic Cat 400 4x4 or $2,500 cash. In addition, there are over 50 different raffles of gift certificates and gift baskets. For more information check out the Web site at www.katelynskause.org.