Making Memories Classic Pickleball: More than 400 players are heading to Freedom Park in Greenwood, Indiana, from Friday through Sunday to take part in the Making Memories Classic. The tournament supports the Alzheimer’s Association, and the weekend begins with a fun-filled kickoff party on Friday, open to the entire community.
A Friday Night Full of Fun
The celebration starts at 5:00 p.m. on June 14 at Freedom Park, located at 850 West Stop 18 Road in Greenwood. Everyone is invited to enjoy a cookout with burgers, hot dogs, and soft drinks, along with a beer garden sponsored by Oaken Barrel Brewing Co.
Live music will be provided by the local band Just the 2 of Us. Guests can also join a free pickleball clinic for beginners from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. Registration is required for the clinic. One of the highlights of the evening will be the chance to “play with the pros” — including professional pickleball players Jade Kawamoto and Jackie Kawamoto.
Pickleball for a Purpose
The Making Memories Classic is more than just a tournament. It is a fundraiser to support the Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Indiana. The event was founded in 2022 by Dr. David Mandelbaum and has raised more than $139,000 so far.
“People really understand the real reason we’re having this tournament, and the special nature of it, and the reason I have such a passion for it,” said Dr. David Mandelbaum during an interview in May.
Dr. David Mandelbaum started the event after losing both of his parents to dementia. Around the same time, he and his wife, Anna Mandelbaum, became fans of pickleball. Seeing how pickleball brings people together and keeps them active, he connected it with his advocacy work.
Science Backs the Cause
Research shows that staying active and social may help delay or prevent dementia. A study published on August 10, 2022, in Neurology, the journal of the American Academy of Neurology, found that physical activity lowered the risk of dementia by 17%. Social activities lowered the risk by 7%.
The Making Memories Classic was created to bring those benefits to life.
Bigger Than Ever
This year marks the fourth Making Memories Classic and its largest turnout yet. Players will compete over the weekend for tournament titles, but the event also aims to involve the wider community.
“One of the things we’re trying to do is really make this a community event that’s even more far-reaching than just pickleball, even though pickleball is the focal point of the weekend,” said Dr. David Mandelbaum in May.
The tournament runs from Friday through Sunday, and all events are held at Freedom Park in Greenwood.
News in Brief: Making Memories Classic Pickleball
The Making Memories Classic in Greenwood, Indiana, returns June 14–16 with over 400 players competing in a pickleball tournament that supports the Alzheimer’s Association. A public kickoff party on Friday at Freedom Park includes food, music, play with pros Jade and Jackie Kawamoto, and a free beginner clinic.