Play for the Kids Event
Sunday June 7th, 2026
Tournament from 10AM-4pm at Ace & Eagle Courts
Kids event from 12pm-4pm next door at Hi-Wire Brewing
284 Lyman St, Asheville
What to Expect
Sponsored by Poppy’s Popcorn and Town & Mountain, and hosted by Ace & Eagle and Hi-Wire Brewing, Play for the Kids is a community-driven, dual fundraising event that brings together a charity pickleball tournament and a family fun day.
At the heart of the event is a pickleball tournament facilitated by the Asheville Pickleball Association. Alongside the competition, the Family Fun Day will offer an expanded field day experience with activities for all ages.
Whether you’re playing in the tournament, attending with your family, cheering from the sidelines, or simply coming out to support the cause, there will be plenty of ways to get involved and make an impact.
Get ready for a fun, fast-paced day of friendly competition for players of intermediate and advanced skill levels. Teams will compete in a round-robin style tournament with plenty of chances to play and connect. All proceeds support local children and families in need.
Pickleball Tournament
Enjoy a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere with mini-games, activities, crafts, and something for all ages. Every activity helps support kids and families in need
Family Fun Day
Enter for a chance to win a variety of exciting prizes donated by local businesses and supporters. Get tickets online or in-person on June 7th. Every ticket purchased helps support children and families in need.
Raffle
Have fun with a variety of interactive games hosted by Hi-Wire and Ace & Eagle, including a golf simulator, billiards, cornhole, and more! Whether you’re playing for fun or a little friendly competition, there’s something for everyone. All activities help support children and families in need. Also enjoy on-site food trucks!
Other Games & Things to do
“Love, Asheville”
Prize Basket
HARK Website Exclusive
Can’t make it to our Play for the Kids event on June 7th? Maybe you’re not even local to Asheville but still want to show some love for at-risk kids in our community. Or maybe you’d just like to contribute a little extra support? You can still join the fun through our virtual prize drawing!
There’s truly no place like Asheville, and every item in this basket was made or donated with love by local artists, makers, businesses, and organizations that care deeply about our community.
Our exclusive “Love, Asheville” Prize Basket is available only through website raffle ticket purchases and is packed with amazing local Asheville goodies, gifts, and treats. The basket includes Poppy Popcorn, a one-of-a-kind stained glass piece created by one of our volunteers, t-shirts, tote bags, HARK swag, and more! Valued at over $200!!
Raffle Tickets:
• $10 = 1 entry
• $50 = 10 entries
Every ticket purchased helps support vulnerable children and families in Buncombe County while giving you a chance to win a basket full of Asheville favorites!
The raffle winner will be contacted on June 10th.
Family Fun Day
12pm-4pm
Food & Drinks
Enjoy a variety of food trucks on-site throughout the day, plus a special HARK named draft beer available for guests to enjoy.Interactive Games & Activities
Enjoy games hosted by Hi-Wire and Ace & Eagle, including a golf simulator, billiards, cornhole, and ping pong. HARK volunteers will also be hosting mini-games throughout the day, along with kid-friendly crafts for younger kids. Whether you’re playing for fun or a little friendly competition, there’s something for everyone—all while supporting children and families in need.Prize Raffle
Enter for a chance to win exciting prizes donated by local businesses and supporters. Winners will be announced during the event, and you do not need to be present to win. Every ticket purchased helps support children and families in need.
Raffle & Giveaways
Enter for a chance to win exciting prizes and experiences from local business such as:
Poppy Hand-Crafted Popcorn
Wunderland Resort - Weekend glamping stay
Waynesville Inn and Golf Club - Round of golf for four players
French Broad Chocolate
Everyday Oil
Matcha Nude
Sarilla Tea
Various Haywood Rd. Restaurants & Businesses
Chemist Spirits
& More!
Pickleball Tournament
10AM-4pm
A Day of Play. A Lasting Impact.
Your participation directly supports at-risk children in our community.
Event Overview
Date: Sunday, June 7, 2026
Timeline: Check-in at 9:00AM; Tournament from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: Ace & Eagle Courts, Asheville, NC
Format: Round-robin, rally scoring tournament designed for consistent, high-quality play
Divisions/Ratings:
Intermediate (3.5 average, Max team rating 14.5) — 10 teams (Morning)
Advanced (4.25+, Max team rating 18, and must include one female player) — 10 teams (Afternoon)
Teams: 4 players per team (limited to 20 teams total)
Entry Fee: $50 per player | $200 per team
Prizes
1st place - $50 restaurant gift card
2nd place - $25 restaurant gift card
Additional Information: Each player will receive a hand-printed, high quality event tote bag courtesy of Moonlight Makers filled with goodies from local businesses!
Who is Helping at Risk Kids (HARK)?
Our name is our mission. Helping At Risk Kids (HARK) serves Buncombe County’s most vulnerable children and youth: those in court-ordered protective custody, kids aging out of the foster care system, and those without stable housing.
What we do:
We fund basic, emergency, and child-specific enrichment needs as identified by caring social workers, school counselors, and guardians ad litem. Examples of assistance include beds and mattresses, summer camps, school supplies, transportation, utility assistance, and temporary housing. Our streamlined process allows HARK’s volunteers to review and make determinations quickly to allow children in need to receive direct and immediate assistance, avoiding long wait times.
Stay In the Loop
This page will be updated with the latest information about the tournament and Family Fun Day as the event approaches. Follow along here and on our social media channels for updates, announcements, and ways to get involved.