We've Got The County Covered
We've Got The County Covered
Although most people are familiar with March Madness and the hype surrounding basketball this time of year, perhaps only the die-hard fans closely monitor Selection Sunday or concern themselves with which at-large teams have made it into the tournament. However, one local organization, the Harlem Civic Association invites Blaine County residents to care since they will be hosting their March Madness 2022 Calcutta Auction on Monday, March 14.
Selection Sunday is when the complete bracket for the 68-team NCAA men’s basketball tournament is revealed. The tournament is filled with 32 conference champions who have earned automatic bids and 36 at-large teams. Those at-large teams learn their fate on Selection Sunday. This year, Selection Sunday for the men’s tournament is at 6:00 p.m. ET on March 13, 2022 on CBS.
Once the NCAA Division One Men’s Basketball Committee reveals which teams have made the field for this year’s basketball championships, they release the seeding and the bracket for seven rounds of tournament action.
Following that process, the Harlem Civic Association will hold their March Madness 2022 Calcutta Auction. A fundraiser for the organization, the event will take place at Kennedy’s Bar located at 66 Main Street South in Harlem. Festivities will begin on March 14 at 6:00 p.m. when a free sloppy joe supper will be offered to guests.
With Kevin Elias serving as auctioneer, bidding will follow at 7:00 p.m. when all 68 NCAA Men’s Tournament teams will be auctioned off to the highest bidder in a Calcutta style auction. Thirty-two teams will be paid from the proceeds, and everyone is invited to participate. For more information, interested persons may call 406-262-5448.
Another pair of side games on Monday night involves $20.00 envelopes. In the first game, for a $20 buy in, 16 people can play. Each person draws one team from each of the four areas: East, West, South, and Midwest so they have a total of four teams.
With the second game, a $20 buy in and 16 people playing, each person draws a random draw of four teams from anywhere. All teams are in the same draw bucket. In these two side games, 100% of the money is distributed back to the players.
Members of the Harlem Civic Association encourage participation in this occasion since its proceeds will help them to fulfill their mission: “to support non-profit activities that will promote the improvement of the community of Harlem.”
Although the March Madness event is typically an annual fundraiser for the Harlem Civic Association, the Calcutta auction had to be cancelled in both 2020 and 2021 because of COVID restrictions. Even this year, Kennedy’s Bar is asking that masks be worn whenever patrons stray from their seats.
The 2022 NCAA championship game will be played on Monday, April 4, in New Orleans.
