May Classic this weekend

The B.C. Interior’s longest continuously running amateur soccer tournament is back for a 57th edition.

Ten men’s and eight women’s teams will be taking part in the Pacific Western Brewery May Classic tourney Saturday to Monday at King’s Park.

Teams from as far away as Calgary, as well as the Lower Mainland and B.C. Interior are competing along with four local teams.

“It’s going to be another great weekend of soccer, fun and camaraderie,” said tourney organizer Dale Anderson, of the Penticton Soccer Club.

The men’s division features a pair of local teams, including the Penticton Tim Hortons Pinnacles of the Pacific Coast Soccer League, and the Murray GM Men’s League All-Stars.

Two of the new teams in the men’s division include the West Kootenay No-Stars from Trail-Rossland, and Van City FC from North Vancouver.

Local squads on the women’s side include the Penticton Soccer Club Selects and the Penticton Soccer Club ex-PCSL Reunion team.

Games start Saturday at 10:30 a.m., with the Murray GM All-Stars in action in the opener.

The Tim Hortons Pinnacles and the PSC Selects play their first games at noon, and the Reunion team is in action at 1:30 p.m.

The last set of games on Saturday is at 7:30 p.m. Action resumes Sunday at 11 a.m. The four finals (men’s and women’s A and B events) will be staged Monday at 10:30 a.m.

The top teams will receive merchandise prizes courtesy of SoccerX.com and trophies.

Anderson said there will be a beverage garden open throughout the tourney, BBQ burgers and hot dogs, and Chorizo Sausages courtesy of local soccer star and Argentina native Mauricio Cepeda.

Anderson extended his appreciation to the sponsors, noting PWB and Tim Hortons have been supporting the tourney and the Pinnacles for more than 20 years now.

He also thanked local firm Greyback Construction for supplying the fencing for the beverage garden and the tournament headquarters at King’s.