LEAP sponsors fifth annual La Porte Young Professionals LakeFest Cornhole Tournament

When it comes to lawn games that can create an exhilarating experience with family and friends, not many activities compare to cornhole. As a way to celebrate the popular pastime, the La Porte Young Professionals (LPYP) participated in the annual LakeFest Cornhole Tournament on Sunday, July 26. The event took place at Stone Lake Beach, near the beach house, and took place as part of the La Porte LakeFest weekend celebration.

The La Porte Economic Advancement Partnership (LEAP) served as one of the sponsors for the event, giving the community a fun opportunity to enjoy friendly competition while spending time along the city’s lakefront.

“This event is great because it brings out a lot of people. We get to meet a lot of people and we can tell them more about our group. We really only get together about once a quarter, just as a networking opportunity for people in the La Porte area. But it’s great to get our name out there. So being part of Lake Fest is really important to us,” said Lindsay Kneifel, Director of Marketing and Communications for LEAP and Head of the LPYP.

LEAP works as a connecting and driving force for business in the Greater La Porte area. With a mission to strengthen the community as a premier destination for businesses, workforce development and residents, the LakeFest Cornhole Tournament provided another opportunity to bring people together while highlighting one of La Porte’s signature summer traditions.

“These events going on at the lakes really showcase what we have in our community. And as far as cornhole, it’s a really fun game. We’ve never had any issues with people taking it too seriously. It’s just a really fun event to have out on the beach and show off our Stone Lake,” said Kneifel.

Teams of all skill levels competed throughout the tournament. Whether players were seasoned competitors or simply looking for a fun afternoon with friends and family, the tournament welcomed everyone to take part in the festivities. Spectators also gathered around to cheer on competitors while enjoying the lively atmosphere created by LakeFest.

“We do have sponsors for the event, and we give them two teams in the tournament. This event helps us get out there, letting people know that Leap is a part of this LakeFest,” said Kneifel.

For the LPYP, the tournament also served as an opportunity to draw people to the game and learn more about what the organization does, as it hosts networking events to encourage involvement and leadership in the community. This year marked the fifth year for the cornhole tournament being featured as a LakeFest event.

As LakeFest came to a close, the cornhole tournament acted as a pinnacle activity and demonstrated how a simple game can bring people together. Through community partnerships, local engagement and a shared sense of fun, the event highlighted the spirit of La Porte while creating lasting memories for competitors and spectators alike.

“Everyone can enjoy the beautiful weather and see that La Porte has so much to offer as far as our natural resources. There’s always something going on in La Porte, even outside of Lake Fest. You can always find something in the summer to do. You can take your boat out, go kayaking or walk the trails. There’s just so much you can do in La Porte, and I hope people really realize that as they’re out here this weekend,” said Kneifel.

For more information on LEAP,  you can visit laportepartnership.com.