Bluffton will be hopping on the weekend of May 14-15.

As previously announced on the Icon, the Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce's arts and crafts show is Saturday, May 14. Also, the farmers' market will be held on the morning of the 14th.

One other event bringing hundreds of people to Bluffton on May 14-15 is the Bluffton Soccer Club's annual tournament.

In recent years, this tournament has averaged over 50 teams. This event draws teams from around northwest and west central Ohio for a busy weekend of soccer.

This year's tournament is expected to bring 1,500-plus persons to the community.
 
According to Jamie Mehaffie, of the Bluffton Soccer Club, "On average, each team represents approximately 50 individuals between players, coaches, and families.

"Games will be held on the campus of Bluffton University, locating families in easy proximity to downtown and nearby business locations. Our hope is that, as our tournament continues to grow each year, the economic impact to the Bluffton community will continue to grow."
 
He added that instead of holding multiple fundraising events and continually asking local businesses for support throughout the year, the Bluffton Soccer American Cup tournament, hosted by the Bluffton Soccer Club, serves as our most important fundraiser.

The club is soliciting for sponsorships of this year's tournament, as the event  is organized and operated solely by volunteers.

"In order to provide this opportunity for our youth, we need to purchase equipment, such as soccer balls, goals, nets for the goals, uniforms, and field supplies on a semi-annual basis," Mehaffie told the Icon.

"For the future of the program, the Bluffton Soccer Club has established a long range goal of developing a soccer complex with additional field space to better accommodate the needs of the program and the community."

Individuals, businesses, organizations and industries are invited to assist in support of the club through sponsorships of the May tournament.
 
For further information contact Ron Koontz, Bluffton Soccer Director, at 419-358-1888, or by email at [email protected]. The deadline for sponsorship is April 15.

Bluffton Soccer Club committee members are: Larry Hoffman, Dan Lee, Jeremy Scoles, Jared Reichenbach, Steve Smucker, Joel Steinmetz, Jamie Mehaffie, Christian Nygaard, Lori Staley, Lindsay Conrad, Jeremiah Weyer and Travis Kleman.

The Bluffton Soccer Club is a tax exempt 501 (c) (3) organization, therefore your contributions are tax deductible.