Every year — for the greater part of three decades — hundreds of individuals willing to get a little wet and wild to fight cancer have gathered together in Athens to take part in the Mud Volleyball for a Cure tournament.

The long-running spectacle of seeing people of all ages play volleyball in substantial pools of mud continued on Saturday, July 20, as Swan Creek Park was home to the community staple.

“There were a little over 300 players that played, and with spectators included, about 700 or so packed into the park,” Michelle Williamson, one of the members of the Mud Volleyball for a Cure committee, said. “The tournament turned 36 years old this year, and I remember it started the year I graduated from high school.”

This year’s tournament featured 30 total teams, most of which traveled from all across the South to take part in the muddy fun and games of the day. Athens Mayor Ronnie Marks attended the event on Saturday, saying how good it felt to see so many people come out and support the “great cause” of fighting cancer.

“It’s crazy to see so many people out in the mud to raise money for such a great cause,” Marks said. “For 36 years, to get that many people out there to play mud volleyball is amazing. I played in it for about three years with a church group, and let me tell you, that mud gets everywhere.”

All of the participants were quite literally as happy as a pig in mud to play against each other. Some of the teams in the day’s tournament were made up of cancer survivors.

The aptly named, “A Better Team” won the coveted golden pig championship trophy on Saturday. According to Williamson, the winning team donated the prize money back to County for a Cure and the American Cancer Society.

Williamson offered the sentiment that there is no greater achievement than giving valuable resources to the fight against cancer.

“At the end of the day, there is really not a per se winner until we find a cure for cancer and the disease is gone for good,” Williamson said. “That’s why we keep doing this, to make sure no more birthdays are missed, to make sure there are no more empty seats at tables. We do this to raise money for research and for awareness. We know that this year’s tournament raised roughly over $5,000.”

According to Williamson, all of the money raised from the event goes directly to the American Cancer Society, after expenses.