A day to celebrate, give back, and look forward to 2025!
TL;DR:
The 2nd Annual PineRiders Holiday Event & Toy Drive was a day full of excitement, community spirit, and holiday fun! The Cornhole Tournament thrilled spectators with a 16-team showdown, ending in a close victory for Brad & Dom. Guests enjoyed a variety of activities, including KanJam, festive photos, hair braiding, face painting, and bouncing fun at Bambino’s Bounce House.
The evening featured a lively raffle with prizes for generosity, a delicious dinner provided by Tacos El Tejano, and the announcement of our exciting 2025 plans. The night wrapped up with cookie decorating, the Candy Smash and Dash, and a high-energy Karaoke Dance Party.
Sponsors and Vendors:
Before diving into the full recap, (see below), we’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our incredible sponsors and vendors. Their support made this event possible! If you’ve experienced their excellence, please take a moment to like, follow, and leave them a review—they truly deserve it!
Nina's Brunch
A huge thank you to Nina’s Brunch in Forney, TX, for sponsoring our Cookie Decorating Station! Their generous support made it possible for families and kids to unleash their creativity and have a blast decorating festive cookies.
Be sure to check them out next time you're in Forney—you’ll love the amazing breakfast and brunch offerings (my favorite, chicken and waffles) as much as we loved having them as a sponsor!
Be sure to join the waitlist, they are a POPULAR food spot in Forney. Tell Bashkim the PineRiders sent you!
Leave a review here if you've ever been there.
JMP Photography
The Photo Booth by Judy Marie Photography brought the magic to life with their interactive photo booth, capturing priceless memories for our guests.
See photos here.
Help them out by leaving a review of your experience.
Tacos El Tejano
Tacos El Tejano: Dinner was a hit, thanks to Julio and Paula at Tacos El Tejano, who served up delicious tacos, beans, and rice to keep everyone satisfied.
Leave a review of your experience here.
Book them for your next event.
Bambino's Batting Cages
Bambino’s Batting Cages: Our bounce house fun wouldn’t have been possible without the support of Bambino’s Batting Cages. Thank you for also donating items to the raffle and toy drive!
If you've been to their batting cages, leave a review here.
Rockin' Rythems Karaoke & Entertainment
Rockin' Rhythms Karaoke & Entertainment: A big shoutout for bringing the party to life at our Holiday Event & Toy Drive! Their amazing DJ and karaoke setup kept the energy high, with everyone singing, dancing, and having an incredible time. From festive tunes to crowd-favorite hits, they had something for everyone to enjoy.
Home Run Hair by Analie Aaron
Home Run Hair: She brought creativity and flair to our Holiday Event with their hair braiding station! Guests of all ages enjoyed getting festive, intricate braids that added a fun and stylish touch to their holiday look. It was a crowd favorite and a wonderful addition to the day’s activities!
Leave a review if you had your hair done by Analie!
Event Overview:
The 2nd Annual PineRiders Holiday Event & Toy Drive was truly unforgettable! The day overflowed with joy, laughter, and the incredible spirit of community. Together, we celebrated not only the holidays but also the conclusion of an amazing 2024 softball season, all while making a meaningful impact by giving back to those in need. The turnout was beyond anything we could have imagined, and we are so grateful to everyone who joined us.
The Cornhole Tournament was a highlight of the event, featuring a 16-team bracket played across 4 boards. To keep things moving before sundown, we adjusted the rules, giving a clear advantage to teams who could score quickly. The competition was fierce, but the final showdown between Brad & Dom and Judy & Robert kept everyone on the edge of their seats. In a close match, Brad & Dom emerged victorious, taking home two well-deserved trophies and Smash It Sports softball backpacks. Congratulations to all the participants for making it an exciting and memorable tournament!
While the Cornhole Tournament kept the competition fierce, the rest of the event was buzzing with activity for guests of all ages! Other competitors were engaged in another yard game called KanJam. Layla was pushing people through the photo booth, helping them capture festive moments and holiday smiles throughout the day. Kids couldn’t get enough of Bambino's bounce house and the trampoline, where laughter filled the air as they jumped and played. Over at the hair braiding station, Analie helped helped provide stylish and creative braids, perfect for getting into the holiday spirit. Meanwhile, Crystal and Kayleigh controlled the face painting station which added a splash of color and fun, transforming faces into festive works of art. Together, these features created a vibrant, family-friendly atmosphere that made the day truly special for everyone!
As the evening approached, everyone gathered in the dining hall for the much-anticipated raffle. Cheers filled the room as prizes were announced: Jason took home wiffle ball bats, Ashley and Crystal won softball helmets, Dom & Deja snagged Smash It Sports slides, and Bridget walked away with the grand prize—a Smash It Sports softball bag! Each guest received a raffle ticket at entry, but those who brought toy donations earned additional chances to win. It was a fun and exciting way to reward generosity while spreading holiday cheer!
Dinner was a true highlight of the evening, with everyone savoring the delicious food provided by Tacos El Tejano. Guests couldn’t stop raving about the bold, authentic flavors and perfectly crafted sauces that brought the meal to life. As the meal came to a close, excitement filled the air as we unveiled our 2025 PineRiders plans, including six charity softball tournaments to be held every other month throughout the year. The evening concluded on a high note with the much-anticipated trophy announcements, honoring players nominated by their peers for their outstanding contributions. It was a memorable way to wrap up the dinner part of the evening.
The night wrapped up with three crowd-favorite activities that brought everyone together for even more fun! Nina’s Cookie Creations had kids and adults alike decorating delicious treats with festive flair. The Candy Smash and Dash was a burst of excitement as participants scrambled for goodies in a lively piñata-style event. Finally, the Karaoke Dance Party closed the evening with high energy, laughter, and unforgettable performances. These activities were a huge hit, leaving everyone with smiles, sweet memories, and plenty of holiday cheer!
Thank you for making our Annual Holiday Event & Toy Drive such a memorable success! Your support, generosity, and holiday spirit have truly made a difference in our community. As we look ahead to 2025, we’re excited to bring you a year filled with purpose, fun, and connection through our six upcoming charity softball tournaments.
Whether you want to play, cheer, or sponsor, there’s a place for everyone in the PineRiders family. Don’t forget to RSVP for our upcoming tournaments and follow us on Facebook for the latest updates, event details, and ways to get involved. Together, let’s make 2025 even brighter and continue to give back, one game at a time. We can’t wait to see you on the field! 🌟⚾🎄
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