Wren Homecoming: Wiffleball big draw

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

WREN — While the Wiffleball tournament is a big draw to this year’s Wren Homecoming celebration, there are plenty of other activities scheduled in the village this weekend, with some events starting as early as this Thursday.

Thursday is designated as Worship Night, with religious activities scheduled for that evening, while the ballpark food stand at Moser Park will also be open that evening. A Junior Wiffleball Tournament will also begin on Thursday and run through Friday.

On Friday, Wren Homecoming really gets started, with the beginning of the Wiffleball Warehouse tournament that brings in thousands of people to Wrenway Park in downtown Wren. Sixteen teams will compete in the tournament for a chance to unseat MKS Siding as this year’s champion team.

Tourney Commissioner Jack Davis also announced that Susan Huffman would throw out the first ceremonial pitch for this year’s tournament. The festivities will begin at 5:45 p.m. Friday, August 16, at Wrenway Park, while the tournament finale will take place at approximately 9:30 on Saturday night.

Huffman was chosen to throw out the first pitch for the 22nd edition of the annual Wiffleball tourney because of her dedication to the village. Huffman started playing ball in Wren at the age of 8 and also coached ball in Wren when she grew up.

Huffman’s husband, the late Gary Huffman, was also an avid Wiffleball fan, and the Huffmans were wonderful supporters of anything that had to do with Wiffleball — or Wren, for that matter.

Huffman also has a son, Tyler (Terrie) Huffman, who lives in Van Wert.

Also on Friday, Little Miss Wiffleball pageant will be held, along with lawn mower drag races, and a car show. There will also be lots of food and other concessions, as well as the Beverage Garden.

On Saturday, the Wiffleball tournament continues, starting at 8:30 a.m., while the Wren Fire/EMS Department will also host a pancake breakfast at the fire station in the morning. The annual Wren Rib Cook-off will also be held, with judging beginning at 11:30 a.m. at Wrenway Park.

Of course, parade lovers will want to be in the village for the annual Wren Homecoming Parade, which begins at 4 p.m. Saturday in the village.

There will also be games for children and plenty of other activities for the whole family. Join Wren residents for a bang-up festival this coming weekend.