ST. ANNA -- The Countryside Saloon in St. Anna was the site today (Saturday) for a local tradition - the 35th annual Beer Can Toss tournament.

Twenty-three teams competed for a cash prize in a tournament of "beer can toss", a game similar to bag toss or horseshoes.

The game's inventor, Craig "Baggy" Baggenstoss, says the tournament has been held on Super Bowl weekend every year since its successful first event.

"The first year we had it there was 500 people here," Baggenstoss says.  "Everybody had a great time, so we...kept on doing it every year since."

Baggenstoss says the tournament has a loyal team base that includes some out-of-state competitors who make the trip in order to participate in the tradition.

"It's [created] a kind of family-like atmosphere over the years," Baggenstoss says. "And you get a mix of women and men, so it's not just a man's game."

Tiffany Belland, manager of the Countryside Saloon, was in her first year playing in the tournament.  She says her fellow competitors created a welcoming environment that made it a lot of fun.

"I've never played before, so I didn't know the rules or procedure," Belland says. "But [the others] explained it to me and I had a heck of a good time."

Baggenstoss says the tournament is not held for any other reason other than to have a great time playing a fun game.

"Everything that we take in gets paid out again," Baggenstoss says. "I'm not in it to make any money - it's just a fun day for me."

Photo by Isaac Schweer, WJON
Photo by Isaac Schweer, WJON
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