Hockey families County bound this weekend

About 700 players and up to 1,500 parents and siblings are expected to descend upon the County this weekend for the 9th Annual Milk Hockey Tournament Oct. 26-28.

“The event features 44 teams from all over Ontario arriving in our community to play hockey, eat and drink, buy gas, drink coffee, and generally soak up PEC life,” the Picton BIA noted to its membership.

The BIA states that while most stay in Belleville hotels with pools, a number will also be at local establishments.

Of the 44 teams, at least 30 are from more than two hours away and will all play four or more games of hockey in either Picton, Wellington or Deseronto between Friday morning and late afternoon Sunday.

There are teams with players from Novice (7 and 8 years old) up to Midget (15-17 years old) from as far west as London; down to the Niagara Peninsula; over to the Quebec Border; up to the Ottawa Valley and most points in between.

Local restaurants with capacity for team events are invited to email Jefferson Gilbert at jefferson.a.gilbert@gmail.com over the next couple of days.

Also, at the request of some – there is a WELCOME sign that can be printed for shop windows.