50th Dirt Bowl Celebration will commence on Father’s Day, June 16, 2019 through August 25, 2019.

The ‘Dirt Bowl’ began in the summer of 1969 in Algonquin Park as a ‘playground basketball tournament’. It was founded by the two park supervisors; Ben Watkins of Central High and Jackson State University basketball fame, and Janis Carter of Shawnee High track, cheerleading and Kentucky State University, cheerleading, & Women’s basketball notoriety. Several youth in the community also contributed input to the creation of the “Dirt Bowl”.

Through the years, the Dirt Bowl has been a shining beacon of light. It has also had its growing pains in an ever changing urban community. After a short hiatus, it was revived under the leadership of Mayor Greg Fischer at the behest of community activist Neal Robertson and is continuing to thrive today at its home base in Shawnee Park.