Event leaves a mark on the community
NORTHERN WISCONSIN -- It was soldiers versus 'aliens' in a battlefield in Pembine Saturday. They were the two teams that participated in a showdown hosted by the Kingsford National Guard. The mission: a fun-filled day with local youth by hosting the Tri-Annual Paintball Competition.
When you've got 100,000 paintballs, a very eager crowd of competitors and five "Battle of Los Angeles" movie-based scenario missions, the stakes don't get much higher. Participants are divided into two teams and must act out the scenarios given to them, while avoiding a "kill" which happens if they're hit with a paintball in the head or torso.
"They're actually out practicing teamwork, they're practicing working together, they're practicing respecting each other," says scenario master of the event, Evan Blagec.
"Video games are pretty unrealistic; a lot of that stuff is just for the simple fact that you're just pushing a button," says Sgt. 1st Class Tim Wilkinson of the Kingsford National Guard. "This is as realistic as you can get."
About 60-70 kids competed in the free event Saturday. The National Guard also gets a chance to get into the action.
"I love to get out there and play and teach the kids maneuvers they can use," says organizer Sgt. Jeremy MacDonald of the Kingsford National Guard.
In five years, the event has grown from an idea to popular event with donations from local businesses, such as paint from Nelson Paint of Kingsford, Co2 from City Sales of Iron Mountain, and water from the local Oasis Gas Station.
The next competition will be held this fall. All events are open to participants aged 14 and older. For more information, call (906) 774-2275 and ask for SFC Wilkinson or Sgt. MacDonald.
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