Perry Chamber announces the 2024 Big Boom Bracket Battle Explosive 8

COURTESY OF PERRY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
·3 min read
Donations for the Explosive 8 round of the Big Boom Bracket Battle will be accepted through 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 19.
Donations for the Explosive 8 round of the Big Boom Bracket Battle will be accepted through 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 19.

The first round of the Big Boom Bracket Battle brought in a total of $2,351.44 for the Perry Chamber of Commerce’s annual fireworks drive for the community’s Fourth of July fireworks display. After one week of collecting donations for the Sweet-as-Pie 16, the Perry Chamber has announced who will be advancing as the Explosive 8 for the bracket battle.

“Switching from the no-strings-attached Facebook likes in the Elimination Round now to donations as votes for the bracket is a game changer,” said Lynsi Pasutti, Executive Director of the Perry Chamber of Commerce, noting several close races.

The Explosive 8 advancing to the next round include:

  • (1) Sgt. Alex Lott, Perry Police Department vs. (8) Larry Vodenik, Hy-Vee

  • (2) Kain Killmer, Perry High School vs. (7) Ivette Drahos, The Lazy Goose Boba Tea & Ice Cream

  • (3) Heather Ketelsen, Perry High School vs. (11) Jayde Fellom, Blonde Sisters Boutique

  • (4) Jackson VanKirk, Progressive Foundry vs. (12) Andrea Tunink, Ben’s Five & Dime

After one week of collecting donations for the Sweet-as-Pie 16, the Perry Chamber has announced who will be advancing as the Explosive 8.
After one week of collecting donations for the Sweet-as-Pie 16, the Perry Chamber has announced who will be advancing as the Explosive 8.

“Unlike last year, all but two of the top ‘seeds’ will continue on to the next round,” Pasutti added. “It has been fun to watch the progress on the new online platform and we appreciate all the donations that have come in so far for the fireworks. Now, everyone starts back at zero, so it’s anyone’s guess who will make it on to the next round and one step closer to a pie in the face.”

Donations for this round of the contest will be accepted now through 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 19 and the Firecracker 4 will begin that same day at noon. Online donations can be submitted at GiveButter.com/Perry-Chamber-Foundation and in-person donations will be collected at the McCreary Community Building (1800 Pattee Street), Ben’s Five & Dime (1221 2nd Street) and Perry Perk (1201 Warford Street). Donations may also be delivered to the Perry Chamber of Commerce at 1124 Willis Ave. or mailed to PO Box 472, Perry, IA 50220.

“It’s a great fundraiser for the community and a fun way to get people involved,” said Jayde Fellom, co-owner of Blonde Sisters Boutique and Chamber Board Member. “Even though I would prefer not to get a pie to the face, I’m happy to participate for the sake of our fireworks.”

The Big Boom Bracket Battle is a bracket-style contest, matching up community members in four weeks of ‘head-to-head’ contests as a fundraiser for Perry’s Fourth of July fireworks display. Advancement in the bracket is determined by donations from the community, accepted online, by mail and at various locations in town. The ultimate winner will be rewarded with a pie in their face in April, along with bragging rights and a traveling trophy.

Perry Chamber Executive Director Lynsi Pasutti hands Deepak Nayyar the Big Boom Bracket Battle Trophy during the grand finale on Tuesday, April 4, 2023, at La Poste.
Perry Chamber Executive Director Lynsi Pasutti hands Deepak Nayyar the Big Boom Bracket Battle Trophy during the grand finale on Tuesday, April 4, 2023, at La Poste.

For more information and to follow along with the progress of the Big Boom Bracket Battle, visit www.PerryIAChamber.org/Foundation or the Perry Chamber’s Facebook page. Questions canbe directed to the Perry Chamber at info@PerryIAChamber.org or (515) 465-4601.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Perry Chamber announces the 2024 Big Boom Bracket Battle Explosive 8