Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.

FAIRFIELD – The Fairfield Elks hosted its annual Hoop Shoot at the Fairfield High School on Saturday, Nov. 9.

The event is a free-throw contest held by Elks Lodges across the country. The top-two performers in the three age categories (ages 8-9, 10-11 and 12-13) walked away with a trophy Saturday afternoon. Those elite sharpshooters will advance to the Hoop Shoot District Competition to be held on Jan. 18, 2025 in Keokuk. If they keep hitting nothing but net, they could advance to the state, regional and even the national finals.

Fairfield Elk Kevin Curran organized the Hoop Shoot, and he said the event is part of the Grand Lodge’s efforts to engage young people and make the Elks visible. He said it’s a tradition that goes back to perhaps the 1950s. About 30 kids participated in Saturday’s shoot, and Curran said the club hopes to bring that number up. He said the event used to last for hours and hours, and on Saturday it was over in about 40 minutes.

Fairfield Elks is one of if not the largest civic organization in the county with 450 members locally and about 2 million nationally. Curran said he’s starting something new, which is hosting a monthly game night and meal at the Elks Lodge on the west side of the square. It will be the first Monday of the month from 6-8 p.m., with cards starting at 7 p.m.

“We try to be involved with the community,” Curran said. “Our goal is to help the youth, veterans and the community. Those are our three main goals.”