History of The Okee Dokee Tournament
According to legend, the Sunday Hotel Mixed Slo-Pitch League started in 1981 with 6 teams. The Somass, Kingsway, King Ed, Beaufort, and The Arlington Hotels had teams. Fairway Taxi also had a team to drive everyone home after a day on the field. The teams were looking for a place to hang out on Sundays and have a social. This was back in the day when all pubs were closed on Sundays. In 1988 Bob Leyland and his team traveled to Comox to a Tournament called Nautical Days. It was there while his team was sitting around the campfire, the idea came up - ‘Let’s have a Tournament of our own in Port Alberni on Canada Day Long Weekend.’ The Okee Dokee Tournament was started the following year.
The Okee Dokee started in July of 1989 with 14 teams attending. The Lucky’s were the first team to win the Tournament. They were a team from Sayward made up of mostly one family. The McLeans. 24 teams entered in the 2nd year, and the 3rd year saw the event grow to 40 teams. It was turning into a great event for the whole community, with all the local businesses benefiting from all the volunteer’s hard work. From what I understand it has always been run as a Non-Profit event. All the monies raised were in return given back to the teams in the way of prizes.
Some funds were donated to local charities and groups who volunteered over the weekend of the event. In the early 90s, Arlina Mckenzie with help from Bob Leyland and Michelle Sawyer took over the running of the tournament. For 10+ years Arlina and her team kept up the tradition of The Okee Dokee being a great tournament. Many out-of-town teams looked forward to the Tournament and attended annually. In 2005 the League and Tournament were handed over to Mike O’Donovan and his team of volunteers. Mike has carried on the tradition of a well-run event with the help of Michelle Jamieson, Wayne Demoskoff, Jack Payne, and many others!
We as a group, now have the responsibility of running The Okee Dokee/FUNTASTIC MUSIC FESTIVAL and will do our best to keep the tradition going for the community of Port Alberni. We are looking forward to growing the event each year. If you see any of the past tournament directors out and about over the weekend, thank them for all their efforts over the past years.
Community Grant
2024 Funtastic Grant Applications will be available in Aug/Sep via email. For information on HOW TO APPLY Listen to 93.3 THE PEAK and look for our ad in the Alberni Valley News. Award ceremonies/presentations will take place on October 19th, 2024.
In keeping with our mission of "Building a Better Community through Sport," The Funtastic Sports Society invites qualifying community groups to submit applications.
Funtastic is proud to be able to support local organizations through grants that cover such things as sports equipment, quality of life, Special Olympics, as well as music programs in and around the valley.
For the past 33 years, the Okee Dokee Slo-Pitch Tournament has taken place in Port Alberni, on the same Canada Day Long weekend in July. Teaming up with Funtastic has put a whole new spin on an already great event. Together with our sponsors and volunteers, we are working to improve people's lives by funding local charities, and other user groups in and around Port Alberni.
Staying active in one’s community promotes a better lifestyle and well-being. Communities that support healthy living make it easier for all residents, regardless of age or ability, to make healthy choices every day. Your support helps fund not only better access to sports and recreation opportunities but also supports groups who are looking to improve their quality of life.
This also marks the 10th year that Funtastic/Alberni has contributed back to the community through its donations and grant program totaling just under $230,000.00 in nine years. Our Funtastic Slo-Pitch Tournament and the Music Festival showcase our community’s volunteer spirit and highlight Port Alberni’s exceptional weather, recreation areas, sports fields, and accommodations which encourages participants to return each year to the benefit of local businesses. It has a lot of great help to local businesses during the summer months
The 2024 Okee Dokee Slo-Pitch Tourney is from June 29st - July 1st at THE ECHO FIELDS, with the FUNTASTIC MUSIC FESTIVAL running evenings of Saturday, June 29th (5:30 pm-11 pm) & Sunday, June 30th (5:30 pm-11 pm) at BOB DAILY STADIUM!
Please contact Paul Robertson, Executive Director of the Port Alberni Funtastic Sports Society, at (250-720-9445) or email us at funtasticalberni@hotmail.ca for information on how to apply. If you have any questions, we will be more than happy to answer them for you.
Community Impact
For the past 9 years, your support helps us fund a network of partner agencies that offer easier access to sports and recreation opportunities to their clients. They provide vital services to hundreds of people throughout the region. These are some of the groups we have donated to over the past five years:
ADSS Breakfast Club Special Olympics BC/Port Alberni
ADSS Wrestling Team
Athletic Hall Society
AV Minor Lacrosse
AV Neighborhood Link Society (Read & Feed Program)
EJ Dunn School Backpack Program
Elite Dance Academy
Kidsport
PA Kinsmen
Pathways
Teens Can Rock
ZattZoo Project Association
Over the past 9 years, we have donated just under $180,000.00 in Port Alberni. Proud to be part of Canada’s Greatest Slo-Pitch Tournament & Music Festival.
We would like to thank our many partners, local businesses, local government, community groups, and our awesome volunteers who help us each year we host the slo-pitch tournament & music festival. We appreciate each and every one of you!
Vision Statement
Building a Better Community Through Sport
Values
Respect, Integrity, Leadership, Teamwork, & Commitment
“At Funtastic, you’ll find a friendly smile with each greeting and experience; true to the enduring values and behaviors as set by the original Funtastic Team in 1985.”
Board of Directors
The Port Alberni Funtastic Sports Society 2024 Board of Directors are investing their time and expertise in support of improving and advocating for sport and recreation for all in our community.
Join us – together we’re building a better community through sport we can all be proud of.
Members:
Tanya Nagel - Director, Sharon Wutke - Director, Mike O’Donovan - Director, Paula Sogge - Director, Debbie Reid - Secretary/Treasurer, Jason Samson - Music Director, Paul Robertson - Executive Director
LIFETIME HONARARY BOARD MEMBER - BRENT FEDIRCHUK