Yards of Cameron opening day Saturday

Saturday is the long-awaited opening day for The Yards of Cameron.
The day-long event is the first opportunity for residents in central Texas to see, tour and enjoy the $18 million project that is well on its way to completion.
Community leaders welcome residents, baseball fans and families to tour the complex, which is designed to serve youth and local businesses as well as introduce visitors to Cameron.
Activities on Feb. 20 include family fun and fitness in the morning, a Yoemen alumni baseball game, a sneak peak opening for 44 Farms Farmers Market, dedication ceremony and a college doubleheader. In addition, public tours of the facilities will be available throughout the day, as well as kite flying and drone demonstrations.
Saturday’s full schedule includes:
8 a.m. Yoemen Alumni Game
9 a.m. Family Fun & Fitness, Farmers Market
10 a.m. Guided Tour of The Yards
11 a.m.  Guided Tour of The Yards
Noon  Formal Dedication and Ribbon Cutting on the Plaza
1  p.m. Guided Tour of The Yards
1  p.m.- 2 p.m. Family Kite Flying
2  p.m. Temple College vs Angelina College Double Header
This is the first year that C.H. Yoe High School baseball team will play all home games on Field No. 1 at The Yards of Cameron.
“In 2014, the Cameron Independent School District partnered with the Cameron Economic Development Corporation to build the finest
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baseball facility in Central Texas,” said Allan Sapp, superintendent of the Cameron ISD.
The first Yoe home game will be The Yoemen Classic scheduled Feb. 26-28 at The Yards of Cameron, according to Baseball Head Coach John Broussard.
Currently Field No. 1, Founders Hall, 44 Farms Farmers Market, the hike and bike trail, a large outdoor play space for children and community parking at The Yards are ready for use. When fully completed, the major league caliber facilities on the east side of Cameron will include baseball and softball fields, a farmers market, hike and bike trails, play areas and a community event center.
Phases 2 and 3 will include two more synthetic baseball fields, three softball fields and an expansion to the hike and bike trail.
The Yards will position Cameron as the epicenter of outdoor youth sports activities in Central Texas.
“The Yards of Cameron is a game changer for our community because it allows us to create jobs and encourage capital investment by leveraging our greatest assets – our people, our community spirit and our central location. The tourism industry uses our natural strengths and showcases our home,” said Bobby Schiller, president of the Cameron Economic Development Corporation. “One of the fastest growing areas of this industry is non professional sports tourism which is a lucrative niche driven by young athletes and the families who travel regularly to cheer them on.”
Non professional sports tourism generates $7 billion in direct visitor spending nationally, according to the National Association of Sports Commissions and the U.S. Travel Association.
“The area is well known passion for youth sports of all kinds makes this industry and The Yards of Cameron a perfect fit with our community values,” says Cameron Mayor Connie Anderle. “It will have a huge economic impact and add to our local quality of life. We hope everyone in the city and county will join us for one or more activities on Opening Day.”
The Yards of Cameron are located at 301 Adams Avenue. Community hosts for Opening Day include the Cameron ISD, Cameron Economic Development Corporation, City of Cameron, Cameron Future Foundation and Cameron Industrial Foundation. For more information about Opening Day at The Yards of Cameron, visit www.TheYardsOfCameron.com. On Facebook, like The Yards of Cameron and on Instagram, use @theyardsofcameron.