ST. CLOUD -- Thousands of youth basketball players, their families and fans will be in St. Cloud this weekend.

The St. Cloud Area Youth Basketball Association is hosting their 27th annual "Quarry Classic."

Tournament Director Jake Welch says they have roughly 290 fourth through eighth grade boys and girls teams playing both Saturday and Sunday.

"We've got teams coming from the Twin Cities, teams from out state Minnesota and teams as far away as Bismark, North Dakota. So a lot of people coming to the area," says Welch.

He says the tournament is a big boost for the local economy generating between $2 million and $3 million.

"People love coming to St. Cloud. There's a mall to go to, places to eat, a lot of things to do on your off time and I think that's why our tournament has been so successful," says Welch.

Welch says games will be played on 28 courts throughout the St. Cloud metro area starting at 8:00 a.m.

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