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Kids from all over Fairfield County will dance, cheer and bounce as part of festivities associated with the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference men's and women's basketball tournament, which begins Thursday at Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport.
The tournament, which is hosted by Fairfield University, will feature events for kids Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday, children from area dance studios will hit the paint for the MAAC Cheer and Dance Clinic Performances at halftime of the women's semifinal games. Marie Chaisson, Fairfield University's dance/cheerleader instructor, and the Stags' cheerleading and dance team featuring 36 students will give the dancers pointers earlier in the day. The audience will then be treated to a cheer show during halftime of the first game, with a second group of youngsters set to perform a dance show during the second game's halftime.
Bounce to the Arena at noon Sunday promises to be an impressive display of ball-handling skills. The event will feature a parade of young people who will "bounce their way" from People's Bank Plaza on Main Street to the arena. Third-grader Julissa Acevedo got in some practice at her Beardsley School gymnasium. "I can't wait," she said. "I like to shoot baskets, but I think I'm better at dribbling. It will be neat to do this on the street." Classmate Cindy Andino said: "It'll be good to go outside," she said. "We've had so many snow days. It's like I haven't played outside since, like, the summer."
Participants of the Bounce will arrive in time for the men's semifinals game, starting at 2 p.m. About 200 kids are expected to take part, with help from the Police Athletic Leagues of Bridgeport and Fairfield.
On Saturday, March 5 from 1-5 p.m., Park City SportsFest presented by People's United Bank will take place at Frontage Road and Main Street, Bridgeport. It will feature health and wellness activities from sports and fitness organizations. Participating groups include Bridgeport Sound Tigers, Fairfield University cheerleaders and dance team, the First Tee youth golf, Martial Arts Spirit Academy and Simone Lima's Zumba program. It is sponsored by the Fairfield County Sports Commission. Events are free.
For complete MAAC tournament information, visit the league's website.
Have a youth sports event to promote? Send information and pictures to trenner@mainstreetconnect.us.
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