KENNEBUNKPORT — The thud of bean bags hitting boards filled the air and corn dust coated the floor at the American Legion Post 159, Kennebunkport, during the New Year Cornhole Tournament.

Thirty three teams — each consisting of two players — showed up to play the game in which players throw bags of corn or bean bags, aiming them at a hole in an inclined wooden platform.

The contest was double-elimination, and teams competed for cash prizes. Proceeds from the event benefited the legion.

With five boards lined up on each side of the room, there were up to five matches going on at once. Players picked up the bean bags and gave them their best throw. Competition was friendly, and at the end of the match, opposing teams shook hands, patted each other on the back, and occasionally hugged while saying, “Good game.”

When asked about his strategy, Dave Johnson of the team PBR was straight to the point, “Try to put it in the hole.”

Harold Lockwood of the team Bad Boys, had similar sentiments. “Just beat the other guy,” he said.

Lockwood began playing the game many years ago when living in Tennessee, and continued when moving to Maine a few years ago.

“I love it,” he said. “It’s great fun.”

Marci Haynes, and her father, Richard Libby, were playing on Team Libby. Haynes said she and her family enjoy playing cornhole in the backyard or while camping.

“We play in the summer all the time,” she said, and she appreciated the chance to play during the winter.

“It’s a nice fundraiser,” she said.

The atmosphere was festive. The kitchen served up hamburgers and hot dogs, and alcohol was BYOB.

Al Gauvreau and his wife, Paige, were playing on the team Paige and Al. Gauvreau said he and his wife come to the tournaments at the legion because they are “good fun” and it’s a chance to socialize. He pointed to a table in the front of the seating area, with an unobstructed view of the tournament. Those were the serious players, he said.

Diane Lancaster, of the team Plywood, was one of those sitting at the front table. She laughed when told she was said to be among the serious players.

“We’re in a league. We play Thursday nights,” she said. She said its a good way to get out and meet some great people.

Skip D’Asconio, commander of the legion hall, said events like the cornhole tournament provide a fun activity in the winter and raise money for renovations and maintenance of the building.

“We survive on the generosity of the community,” he said.

The legion is hosting another cornhole tournament at 102 Main St. on Feb. 23. Sign up begins at 10 a.m. and the tournament begins at noon.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 780-9015 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.

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