May 9, 2022 – The Paul Kendrick Memorial 42 Tournament gives 42 lovers a place of their own at the Texas Blueberry Festival presented by Tipton Ford, honoring a game born in Texas and a man who loved to play. For the first time, the event will benefit The Salvation Army of Nacogdoches.
“What an honor to be involved with the festival’s 42 tourney and a good fit for the Salvation Army,” said Director Darla O’Neill. “The story of the game’s beginnings is fascinating. Two brothers living in a small town west of Ft. Worth in the late 1800s. They were forbidden to play card games by Baptist parents, so they created their own game using dominoes. They taught others, and it caught on and now, we have a 42 tournament in Nacogdoches that draws teams from across the state.”
The tournament is an annual tradition for some who enjoy the game as much as Paul Kendrick, the festival volunteer who headed up the event for many years.
“Paul Kendrick and James Kenner were partners and serious players, and they even won a national championship. I remember he’d play with Ms. Evelyn King at the church, too,” said Senior Pastor Paul Sevar, Calvary Baptist Church. “Mr. Kendrick was a gentleman and always kind to me as a pastor, but he was ruthless when it came to 42. When he played, he played to win!”
The Texas Blueberry Festival’s 42 tournament will be held in the Nacogdoches County Courthouse Annex meeting room, 101 W. Main St. Anyone may sign up to play, but space is limited. Registration at the event will begin at 8am on June 11. The entry fee is $40 per team, and “round robin” play begins at approximately 9am.
“We’d love to see more teams enter and pre-registration is open now, if anyone would like to secure their place before festival day,” O’Neill said. “We will have snacks for participants, trophies for the top teams and door prize drawings open to all who play.
“We appreciate the guidance that the National 42 Players Association provides for our tournament. Having them involved ensures we follow proper procedures, plus there are members of that association who have grown to love coming to Nacogdoches and the festival to play 42!” O’Neill said.
The Paul Kendrick 42 Tournament is an event in the 32nd Annual Texas Blueberry Festival presented by Tipton Ford and produced by the Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce. For more information, please go to the event page at www.TexasBlueberryFestival.com or call the Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce at 936-560-5533.
