The cheer competition that drew over 1,500 spectators to Poplar Bluff last year is back and growing. Last year, the Battle in the Bluff drew 300 competitors from gyms across the region and 1,600 spectators. This year brings more gyms, more athletes and big plans for the future of the event.
“I think we’re another 80 athletes up this year, and we’re hoping to bring in over 2,000 spectators,” said Kenneth Cochran, Poplar Bluff Cheer & Tumbling co-owner and coach.
The all-day tournament returns to Black River Coliseum on Jan. 13. Besides drawing crowds, Battle in the Bluff is a landmark event for gyms across Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas.
“It is one of the first local competitions ever hosted in this part of Missouri. There was one probably nine years ago or more, but it did not take off as well. One thing that we’ve done really well is we’ve made a conglomerate of local programs that come into town,” Cochran explained.
The independently organized event also benefits the community by relying on local businesses.
“We outsource all of our own judges. We set everything up ourselves. It’s run through local stuff. So instead of bringing in a company where it doesn’t benefit the community, we bring people from our local area together to host this competition,” she said.
PBCT also uses the contest to fundraise for participating programs. Next year, Cochran hopes to expand this opportunity to school cheer teams.
“We’re going to try to open it to school cheer teams as well, and use it as their first fundraiser of the year to give back to the local schools as well,” he said.
This year’s roster is up from six gyms to eight: Poplar Bluff Cheer & Tumbling, Dexter Cheer & Tumbling of Dexter, University of Tumbling of Dexter, Kobalt Cheer of Jackson, AfterClass Academy of Jackson, Sikeston Starz of Sikeston, Athletes Plus Cheerleading Training Center of Cape Girardeau and FaultLine Athletics of Blytheville, Arkansas.
Participants range in age from 4 years old through adulthood.
Battle in the Bluff is 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Jan. 13 at the Black River Coliseum. Doors open at 8 a.m. Tickets are $10 at the door, cash only, and children under 3 years old enter free. The event is presented by Mossy Oak Properties and Southern Bank.