The reconstruction of the popular basketball courts at H.C. Meriwether Park will be celebrated with a special event Saturday.

Called Hoops, Hoopla & History, it will feature a free-throw contest, music and classic cars.

Hoops. Hoopla & History will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the park on 10th Avenue Southwest.

Sherry Washington, president of the Pleasant Valley Awareness Committee, described it as “a family friendly event with a community vibe.”

“Spending time with family, friends and community is a great Pleasant Valley pasttime memory for all who grew up in the neighborhood,” she said. “Keeping fellowship, peace and love in the community is generational, a tradition we hope will carry on generation after generation.”

In February, the City Council hired Nels Pederson Co. Inc., of Badger, to rip out the old basketball courts and replace them with new ones. The company had a $441,500 contract for the job.

Basketball players were first able to use the new courts a couple weeks ago.

“We would like to encourage the celebration of the basketball courts,” Washington said. “That has been a long time coming.”

She said the Hoopla tournament will return to the courts in June 2025.

Chris Grady will be the DJ for the event.

“That will be a really good draw for people to come out and hear him play,” Washington said.

Hoops, Hoopla & History was organized by the Pleasant Valley Awareness Committee and Rob Presswood, a Fort Dodge native who owns Platinum Kutz in Des Moines. Presswood, Grady and Murphy Washington of the Pleasant Valley Awareness Committee took the lead in creating the event.

If You Go

What: Hoops, Hoopla & History

When: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday

Where: H.C. Meriwether Park, 10th Avenue Southwest