Grab your big hats, and get ready to stomp some divots. A Father's Day fundraiser has horses and polo players thinking pink to raise money to help breast cancer patients. It's all part of the eighth annual Pink Ribbon Polo Classic Sunday.
The event is expected to have record-breaking crowds and donations. Organizers have sold out about 25 tents and tables, and general admission sales are already double what they were last year.
That has them well on their way to exceeding last year's $50,000 total. The event has raised more than $375,000 since it started eight years ago.
All of the money goes towards the Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation, which supports treatment and research programs all across the commonwealth. Those programs include the ones at the University of Virginia, Martha Jefferson Hospital, and Augusta Health.
The heads of the Pink Ribbon Polo Classic have switched up the non-profits in the past, but organizers say they want to make sure those who come out for the match know that the money is going to patients in the area.
"The numbers, especially in the state of Virginia are huge, and groups like the Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation, who is our charity of choice this year, are doing amazing things to get the word out, help get programs situated, especially in the smaller, more rural counties, and getting women taken care of,"says Rebecca Nordin, Pink Ribbon Polo Classic co-chair.
The women who head up the classic say this cause hits home for so many people, and every little bit makes a difference.
"You can feel good about knowing that you are going to be helping someone in your community that may be, you know, down the road your own mother, your own sister or friend or family member who might be getting that breast cancer diagnosis. So it's a great way to have that big impact with a small contribution," says Christi Sheffield Pink Ribbon Polo Classic co-chair.
Tickets are still available for Sunday's event out at King Family Vineyards. Admission is $25 at the door. The vineyard can hold no more than 2,000 people, so if you're interested and don't have tickets get there early.
Event organizers stress that this is a family-friendly event, and there will be much more going on than just the horses.
For more information on the event or how you can get tickets for the whole family click here.
