Parks board approves seasonal tournaments, clinics and community events; beer garden permitted for July 3

The Hendersonville Parks and Recreation Board on March 24 approved a slate of event and program applications for spring and summer 2025, ranging from youth baseball showcases and fishing tournaments to a ticketed Independence Day beer garden.

The approvals clear park reservations, insurance and operational details for multiple organizers and included at least one amendment requiring in-kind or scholarship commitments from visiting organizations. Board members moved and seconded each item during the public meeting; all recorded motions passed.

Among the events approved were:

- A National Youth Baseball Showcase presented by Wow Factor Baseball. Justin Smith, of Greensboro, North Carolina, told the board Wow Factor has run national weekends at IMG Academy and USA Baseball Complexes and expects “probably anywhere from 50 to 250 kids” for an August showcase. The board approved use of four to five fields; staff agreed to connect Smith with the county tourism director to coordinate local hotel information.

- An ABC trade-association fishing tournament to raise funds for a construction training facility that serves high-school students. Clay Crownover and Alex Lang said proceeds would support hands-on trades training; the board approved the request.

- A Civitan tackle-football preseason tournament proposed by Ricky Mallard to be held Aug. 2–3 at Drakes Creek and Memorial Park fields. Mallard described prior tournaments that generated roughly $44,000 in revenue, including about $20,000 from concessions, and said he expects about 1,600 spectator visits across two days; the board approved the…