Announcing Field Day March 28, 2009
It was an exceptionally beautiful day on Saturday, March 28th when over 250 ALCA members gathered for ALCA Field Day at SRP’s Pera Club in Tempe. It is an event that is near and dear to the hearts of many as they reminisce about their first Field Day. And it wouldn’t be the same without seeing Sharon Dewey who has done her fair share of organizing, planning and still volunteering her time to help ensure everything runs smoothly. And does anyone recall how many years Nancy Coxe has been Director of the event? Well, her kids may have an idea since most were in attendance along with her 9 month granddaughter Sophia who is sure to carry on the tradition. And even though she may not recall the first one, my 2 year old granddaughter Sloane made her second appearance to enjoy the Field Day event.
There are so many volunteers and company sponsors that make this event such a success. The sponsors hosted a variety of interactive and competitive individual and team events. The individual events included a contest for launching a tennis ball with a sling shot tied to lawn mowers into carts for various points. This creative event was engineered by Bob Franchetto with Horizon. Nate Gould with Hunter Industries sponsored the golf chipping contest and Doug Donahue with HD Supply-Waterworks with help from Kevin Huggins with Belgard Superlite Block ran the pipe throwing contest. Beth Gosnell with All Season Wholesale Growers supplied a variety of plants for participants to test their knowledge in the plant identification contest. John Cheney and Chris Bujold with RDO Equipment provided water squirt guns for the kids (and some adults) while Drew Tedford with Unique Lighting ran the wheelbarrow races. John Binkele with FX Luminaire sponsored the basketball free throw contest and Mark Witzke, Mike Monfeli and Kim Bales with Repnet and representing Focus ran the Bocce Ball tournaments. Many enjoyed a game of croquet provided by Jim Hermann with Rock Source and horse shoes provided by Robin Franklin and Bob Bohlman with Desierto Verde. Paul Tammelleo with Irritrol and Maggie Saulsby with The Toro Company hosted the bean bag toss while Sam Louis with Lapre Scali & Company Insurance Services held some wet water balloon toss competition.
Children of all ages enjoyed jumping around in an inflatable bouncer sponsored by Tim Bradley with Auto Safety House. Anthony Carranza and family with Sunrise Tree Farm sponsored the petting zoo where the children could pet lots of cuddly little critters. Everyone enjoyed sno cones provided by Karen Draeger with John Deere Landscapes and the ALCA Board of Directors popped popcorn for all to eat.
Lance Shuck and Roger Ramsey with Ewing Irrigation set up the volleyball tournament with members of John Deere Landscapes reigning as the champion. The final event of Field Day closed with the famous tug ‘o war contest sponsored by Kurt Rouse with Rain Bird.
This year, Mike Scott with Camelback Ford Commercial Division decided to spice up the day with the addition of a friendly chili cook off. It proved to be quite popular as the people voted for their favorite chili. Jesse Balderas with Horizon took the first place prize in the “People’s Choice Competition” for his delicious and lip burning chili. And then there was the “Spirit of True Competition” where contestants were furnished with the beef and they prepared their chili on site using their own secret ingredients. Expert chili tasting judges honored Mike Scott with first place for his now famous “Goofy Mike’s Chili”. Barbeques Galore furnished the winners with fabulous barbeque grills.
In addition to the chili, a delicious picnic of hamburgers and hot dogs were barbequed on the grill. Mike Scott with Camelback Ford Commercial Division furnished all of the meat and buns. Additional food sponsors included: Kichler Lighting, Kredit Lawn Sprinklers, Wilbur-Ellis, Evergreen Turf & DLC Resources. A big thanks goes to Doug Donahue with HD Supply-Waterworks for providing and delivering all of the sodas and water.
Many thanks go to Steve Shields with Hill & Usher Insurance for donating insurance coverage for our special event day.
After wrapping up all of the events, sponsors awarded first, second and third place prizes to the winners of the individual events. On top of that, the sponsors generously provided some fantastic raffle prizes from a random drawing.
Field Day is an excellent opportunity for sponsors to develop product and service knowledge and name recognition. It is also an opportunity for landscape contractors, members of the green industries, employees and their families to take a break from the everyday work grind and enjoy a memorable fun-filled day with fellow ALCA members.
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