Photos by Patrick Olivero
FAIR HAVEN – The inaugural annual Pfc. Jamie Riley Pickleball Festival was a resounding success, according to organizers. The event raised over $13,000 through donations, fees and gift baskets to help fund the Knollwood School’s eighth-grade trip to Washington, D.C. and to contribute to ThanksUSA, which funds need-based scholarships for military families. The event, named in memory of Riley, who died in an Army training exercise at age 21, began with a patriotic ceremony with color guard and remarks by the mayor, police chief and members of the Riley family. Pickleball games were played on 12 courts by 110 contenders. A table displayed 40 gift baskets. The event was sponsored by the Women’s Pickleball Association with support from the Monmouth Pickleball Club.
