Donkey Basketball?!

A fun Saturday night out in the burg?! You bet ya! Only in Harrisonburg can you drive a little up north on 81 and find a high school fundraiser of teachers playing basketball on donkeys.

Yes I said playing basketball on donkeys.

I was shocked when I first heard of the concept too. So, when Ashley mentioned that Jake (her fiance) was playing for a school fund raiser...Luke and I jumped at the opportunity to check it out.

Apparently Donkey Basketball has been played in the United States since the 1930's. It is played similarly to a regular basketball game, only you are on donkeys (with little shoes on them to protect the floor). We found out this guy makes a living by having 10 donkeys and driving around to different schools and helping them with fund-raisers. He splits the earnings 50/50 and then goes on his way to another school. Interesting profession, huh?!

Anyway, Jake was definitely the MVP of his team (they played middle school vs. high school teachers) even though his team lost. He even stayed on the donkey, unlike most of his teammates who continually got bucked off!

Notice the guy to the right of Jake (in the middle). He was the tallest guy and got the smallest donkey (named hippie). The donkey refused to let him on his back and it was the funniest thing watching him try to mount over and over and over again...

Jake, such a natural. But of course he could not have done it without his fans:

During half-time Katie and I enthusiastically volunteered for what we later found out was Musical Donkies, a lovely version of musical chairs. Let's just say the competition was fierce and women were being thrown on the floor...

I placed third (getting out during the chicken round) but Katie made it on to the final round:
Let's just say Katie's competition, Brandi, was taking this a little to seriously. Katie fought hard, but in the end Brandi just wanted it more than Katie did. I mean this was the event of the year in her hometown--she had to represent.

Also entertaining, the haircuts we found in the audience:



So, if you hear of Donkey Basketball coming to your town this spring, head there and prepare to have a good time!