Orléans Pickleball Festival Benefitting Big Brothers Big Sisters Launches June 16

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OTTAWA, ON, April 24, 2024—With the wild popularity of pickleball in Canada — and certainly right here in Ottawa — our city is getting its first festival dedicated to the sport. The Orléans Pickleball Festival Presented by Ken Gordon Holdings launches at the Orléans Tennis & Pickleball Club on Sunday, June 16. The event is a fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ottawa (BBBSO) and is being hosted by the charity.

“We’re really excited to be launching this expanded event after the success of our standalone tournament last year,” said Susan Ingram, Executive Director of BBBSO. “Celebrating the sport that so many people love while supporting youth will make for an amazing festival.”

BBBSO offers a variety of programs to local youth with a wide range of backgrounds and needs, including their flagship “Big Brother” and “Big Sister” mentoring programs, which pair caring adult volunteers with at-risk youth. Due to the one-on-one nature of these programs, the charity relies on special events to help raise awareness and funds with the public.

“We’re thrilled to welcome this new festival to Orléans,” said Tannis Vine, Executive Director of the Heart of Orléans BIA, an Official Partner of the event. “Our business community has a big heart — it’s in our name! — and we’re eager to support Big Brothers Big Sisters with this fresh new event in the east end.”

The festival boasts two pickleball tournaments — one competitive for active players and one recreational for beginners, families, and corporate team building — as well as family-friendly entertainment including pickleball workshops and exhibition matches, food trucks, a Kids Zone, the debut of the Orléans Maker Market, and a “Dunk Your Dad” water tank to celebrate Father’s Day.

“Every day, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ottawa plays a critical role in the lives of kids throughout the city,” said Kris Gordon of Ken Gordon Holdings, the Presenting Sponsor of the festival. “They’re changing lives and we can’t wait to celebrate that impact with everyone in June. See you on the court!”

For media inquiries, interviews, and coverage of this event, please contact:

Jake Naylor, Development Officer
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ottawa
Cell: 613-325-0555 • Email: jake.naylor@bigbrothersbigsisters.ca