Every court at Jamboree takes on its own identity. Some teams believe they own Court 1 — they welcome each new challenger to their house. At Hillcrest, teams would get stuck in the psychological bend between Courts 6 and 5. The energy on Court 5 became so unique that the curling lounge awarded a jug of beer to whichever team won the final game on Court 5.
At Fairgrounds, each court has its own colour and distinct set of variables. Each month, we’ll dig into these variables and tell the story of a different court.
Let's begin with Court 8.
The Ocho.
The Ocho represents many things, including the mythological ESPN8, “bringing fans the finest in seldom-seen sports from around the globe.”
It’s an homage to the anonymous naturals, fluent in roller derby, in Quidditch, in curling, in East Detroit featherbowling. In pinball, in skee-ball, in pop-a-shot, in five-pin. In driveway games, basement games, the games with no names.
It’s for athletes who can skip a rock a dozen times through choppy water, run the table in pool, carry every spin in ping pong, nail a 12-foot crumpled invoice baby hook with a six-pack of PBR on the line.
Pickleball, a hybrid made from every other racquet game, is the perfect arena for this rediscovery. It has no fixed lineage, no established mythology, no singular “correct” way to play. It is an unfinished sport. Democratic.
At Fairgrounds, Court 8 sits on what used to be the Sears catalogue fulfillment counter.
You didn’t sign up for The Ocho. Sooner or later, you'll find yourself there. It’s a good moment to ask a troopmate — or rival from the other troop — what they used to play.
If you’re in a registered troop this spring, your Saturday Night Jamboree spot at Fairgrounds is already reserved. We’re still accepting troop applications. (Some troops are still looking for players.)
For those interested Saturday Night Jamboree, register here.
