Grove City Homecoming Celebration returns to Town Center; softball tourney marks 40 years

If ever an event were appropriately named, it's Grove City's 2022 Homecoming Celebration.

The annual event, held in conjunction with the Grove City Alumni Softball Tournament, returns July 29 to its traditional location on Broadway after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.

"It really is a return home for the Homecoming Celebration," Grove City recreation superintendent Kelly Sutherland said. "Broadway in the Town Center is the ideal spot for a small-town celebration like Homecoming. It's so nice to bring it back downtown."

The event was canceled in 2020, and last year, an alternative event hosted by the Grove City Kids Association was held at Murfin Fields, she said.

The 2022 Homecoming takes place from 6 to 10:30 p.m. July 29, the evening before the two-day softball tournament begins.

The city's Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area will be in effect for the first time on Homecoming night.

Visitors will be able to take alcoholic beverages they purchase in DORA cups at participating establishments or the beer they purchase from the booth the GCKA operates at the George Edge Plaza with them as they stroll around the Homecoming festivities.

"It's going to make it more relaxed and convenient for people," Sutherland said. "You won't be stuck standing on the patio or deck at a restaurant or bar or in the beer-sale area. You'll be able to take your drink with you and have an easier time connecting and reuniting with people at the celebration."

Live entertainment returns with a concert by the NKG band from 7 to 9:45 p.m. on the main stage in front of City Hall.

"They're a really fun and entertaining classic rock ’n’ roll band from the Cincinnati area. I think people are really going to enjoy them," Sutherland said.

COTA is extending the hours for its COTA Plus on-demand bus service to extend throughout the Homecoming Celebration event to provide safe and secure transportation for revelers, she said.

Broadway from Grant Avenue to Grove City Road and Park Street from the City Hall driveway to First Street is to be closed from noon to 11 p.m. July 29.

Residents may register to receive text notifications regarding the Homecoming Celebration event, safety, traffic and weather information by texting GCALERT to 888-777. Standard messaging rates apply.

Weather-related cancellation information about the Homecoming and the weekend softball tournament is to be available at grovecityohio.gov or by calling 614-277-3060 the day of the event.

The softball tournament marks its 40th anniversary this year.

"We're back pretty much to normal this year," tournament director Eric Saxton said. "We had to take measures the last two years to make sure everyone who was playing would be safe. Trying to figure out even whether it was safe for everyone to touch the same softball was something you never expected to worry about. We also added times between games the last couple years to increase the safe changeover from one game to another."

The number of teams participating in the 2020 tournament fell from the usual 90 squads to fewer than 60, Saxton said.

"We're looking like we'll be back up to the normal number of teams this year," he said. "Some of the older Grove City classes are starting to see a drop-off in the number of people who can participate, so we're combining some years and some decades into one team – like 1981 and 1982 alumni are coming together to make up one team."

Spectators will find no restrictions, and tournament organizations are planning to arrange for more food trucks at game sites to provide additional refreshment options for fans attending the matches, Saxton said.

Games are to be played throughout the day and evening July 30 and 31 on the diamonds at Murfin Memorial Fields, Fryer Park and Our Lady of Perpetual Hope Church. The tournament drawing is July 28.

More information about the tournament is available at grovecityalumnitournament.com.

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This article originally appeared on ThisWeek: Grove City Homecoming Celebration, alumni softball tourney return