Gay softball tournament updates: schedule, after parties and welcoming Napa

Photos by chrisuab, steevil

We have more information and some brief updates on plans for the Golden Bear Classic softball tournament to be held in Napa on Memorial Day weekend, starting first with local news:

• The Valley's Other Fruit is working with the tournament's director & Napa's Downtown Association to roll out Napa's "rainbow carpets" in welcome and to help promote.
  
• Watch for rainbow flags in windows and storefronts of local businesses that want to share in the love that weekend. Some will be offering specials (look for a special post closer to that weekend with a list of supporting businesses and those with special offers).
  
• Napa's Mayor, Jill Techel, has written a letter of welcome to the tournament participants and supporters (way to go, Jill!) which will distributed with the programs (we'll post the letter as soon as we see it).
  

And info about the tournament's events and schedule:

• Friday night: 70 teams of players arrive from around the state and bay area and will be checking in for the tournament and staying at American Canyon's Gaia. Opening night celebration for teams and players at the hotel.
  
• Saturday day: tournament games played at Napa Valley College/Kennedey Park (open B/C div), Silverado Middle (open C div), Harvest Middle (open C div), Fairfield High (women's and open d div) school softball fields
• Saturday night: teams, players, supporters (700+ people, not counting local gays and allies that show up) hit downtown Napa for some gay fun. Local bars, restaurants, lounges and cafes welcome players and supporters and turn momentarily into gay/lesbian bars.
• Sunday day: tournament continues. Awards, recognition, picnic, barbecue, frisbee, etc. at Kennedy Park for most of the day.
• Sunday night: some players, fans, teams stay another night to enjoy Napa. No special events planned (yet?).

Breaking news:

• Already they're making plans to bring back the tournament for next year...and will move the hotel and opening night's celebration to somewhere in downtown Napa.