If you went to the Wayside last Saturday afternoon, you would have been surprised to see people throwing bean bags at wooden boards with holes in them all day.

This was the first Cornhole Tournament for the Junior Achievement of Central Michigan, an educational organization for K-12 students; money raised from the tournament would be used to assist JA.

Lisa Cross, director of JA said the event raised about $3,000, and the sponsorships contributed to about $1,000 made.

There were about 10 local community sponsors for the event.

 "All the money stays in  Isabella County, and the kids don't have to pay for this. There is not a school left out," said Cross. Cross also said the program will increase next year.

"I think it will just grow, it will be great," she said.

According to its website, JA "is the world's largest organization dedicated to educating students about workforce readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy through experiential, hands-on programs."

GCM photos by Kayla Rusin

Mike Rush, president of JA said their K-12 programs in Isabella County will be reaching about 3,000 students in 120 classrooms. 

Rush said the tournament went great.

"(There's) lots of excitement and enthusiasm, the overall atmospheric competition is fun," he said. "It's something different for us in the community."

About 75 Mount Pleasant residents and surrounding community members and students came out to play the game. Some lost, others won, while all the teams took it in stride.

Sue Lillicah, Coleman resident, played the game for the first time Saturday, aiming bean bags at her destination and trying to make them line up with the hole. She said it was all for a worthy cause.  

"I came here for one reason, to support Junior Achievement," Lillicah said. "It's good exercise, too."

After much concentration, she finally scored a point.

The game consisted of three levels in cornhole tossing.

The first place team won a $300 cash prize, second won $140 and third won $60.

GCM photos by Kayla Rusin

Jason Haller, attendee, said charity events like this are a great way for people who have never been exposed to cornhole to see the true meaning of the game.

"It is more than a backyard drinking game although beer does go good with it," Haller said.

"Everybody wants to win, and they're competing and when it's done, there's a lot of camaraderie between players," he said.

By Sherri Keaton