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By: Brendan McDonough

Reporter for North Tonawanda

At Gratwick Fire Hall organizers held the Annual World Championship Jan Jam Festival where participants were running, throwing, catching and dunking in the hopes of bringing home some hardware.

People of all ages have been taking part in the event for the past twenty-eight years. The sport was invented in North Tonawanda and this year more than ninety-four teams took part in the event.

Players competed against one another in teams of two. The goal is for one teammate to throw a disk to the other and for them to jam it down into the can (hence the name “kan jam”). The team with the highest number of points wins.

Organizers say what makes the sport special is that anyone, regardless of age, sex, or physical condition, can participate.

“We have had people who are 6 years old come to the tournament and we have had people who are in their 70’s,” said Jayce Grefrath, Event Organizer. “I feel you can play it at any age. Basically, if you can throw a frisbee you can participate.”

Trophies and awards were handed out to the top players and money raised from the event were donated to four local charities.

“This year the first-place team get a total of $1,000.00 in cash and prizes,” said Grefath. “Things like gifts cards, kan jam swag, metals, and etc. The 2nd place teams gets gifts totaling $500.00 and then the 3rd and 4th teams gets gifts for $250.00.”

Next year they are hoping even more people will participate in the event.