SPOKANE, Wash. – Just days before Spokane’s biggest event, staff at the Hoopfest headquarters are filling volunteer bags and busily working on final preparations for the world’s largest 3-on-3 basketball tournament.
“There is chaos, organized chaos here right now, lots of excitement,” said Morgan Marum, the event’s marketing manager.
Among several additions to the 2019 competition, a scavenger to preview the event is keeping the marketing team occupied.
It’s called “Cash Dash" and it’s an opportunity for people in the community to win cash prizes.
Hoopfest staff members are hiding 40 mini basketballs throughout the region.
“Everywhere here in Spokane all the way to Wenatchee, Tri Cities,” Marum said.
Each ball has an amount ranging from $10 to $2,500.
Clues on where to find them are posted on Hoopfest’s and Numerica CU’s Instagram pages.
“Some are more obvious than others. They’ll be hidden throughout the whole week,” Marum said.
The game is open to everyone 18 and older.
Participants who find a ball can pick up their prize at Hoopfest on Saturday at 2 p.m.
Players will compete in a “dash” to run and claim their prize. Players must be physically present to receive their prize and each person can only claim one ball.
Another addition to the 2019 Hoopfest is the launching of its new brand, Hooptown USA.
The brand reflects an effort to gather the energy around basketball in the city and put into a local brand that will travel nationally.
“Spokane is passionate about this sport of basketball,” said Matt Santangelo, Hoopfest’s executive director. “We’re a basketball town.”
Hooptown USA will feature gear like hoodies, T-shirts and hats that will be sold around the country.
“Hooptown’s going to try and unify that for the entire community,” Santangelo said.