American Cornhole Organization’s Major Cornhole Tournament returns to Tahoe Blue Event Center

by n Victoria Mastrocola Follown vmastrocola@swiftcom.comn | Sep 3, 2026 | Uncategorized

STATELINE, Nev. –  All those years of playing cornhole at family barbecues or tailgating outside Mackay Stadium might just pay off as the American Cornhole Organization (ACO) makes a two-day major tournament stop in Lake Tahoe for its Season 22 on September 4 and 5. 

First established in 2005 by founder and president Frank Geers, the ACO went from concept to international sensation, becoming the official governing body of the sport of cornhole, providing a comprehensive and standardized set of rules, along with services and programs that enhance the game.

“Cornhole is a backyard game that is played around the world, and this organization came about to try to organize it into a competitive structure and to also create a community,” said Michael “Fin” Walter, ACO’s Announcer. 

Now, ACO Majors can be found all over the country and are the main cornhole tournaments of the season, even expanding internationally to Canada and the United Kingdom. They act as membership-based competitions for all skill levels where players can earn World Ranking points that help them qualify for the World Championship. Competition divisions include World Singles, World Doubles, Women’s Singles, Seniors Singles, Juniors Singles, Coed/Coed Doubles and Blind Draw. 

Non-members can also join in on the fun as ACO invites the local community to come out and show off their cornhole skills in “play-to-play” games. 

“One of the great things about [cornhole] is that it’s such an easy game. It’s so portable,” said Walter. “Anyone can play. We have players who are 8-years-old and players who are 88-years-old.”

This year marks the ACO’s second time in Lake Tahoe as Walter notes of their plans to return again next season and continue to grow the game around the country and especially here in the Basin. 

“I love everything about [Lake Tahoe], from the nature hiking to the vast number of things there are to do in the area,” said ACO Founder, Geers. “Whether you’re spending time at one of the awesome bars and restaurants or taking a casino trek, everything is an amazing experience in and of itself. We feel very fortunate to offer Lake Tahoe as a destination for our players, families and friends.” 

The two-day ACO Lake Tahoe Major is free for spectators and will take place on September 4 and 5 at the Tahoe Blue Event Center starting around 8 a.m. with no set end time due to varying participation. For locals looking to play, you’re encouraged to arrive and head to the registration table where you will be provided with more information and instructions on how to join. 

“We always say, ‘strangers are just friends we haven’t met yet’, so everyone that comes in is welcome. They’ll even find themselves playing side-by-side, sometimes, with some of the best players in the word,” Walter added.

To learn more about the American Cornhole Organization, to become a member, or to view their Season 22 Major tournament schedule, visit americancornhole.com. 

Tahoe Blue Event Center is located at 75 Highway 50 in Stateline, Nev.  

Keep Tahoe Blue Fashion Show raises record-breaking $1.67 million for Lake Tahoe conservation 

by n Victoria Mastrocola Follown vmastrocola@swiftcom.comn | Sep 2, 2026 | Uncategorized

INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – It’s safe to say that the 57th annual Keep Tahoe Blue Fashion Show, held on August 1 in partnership with Oscar de la Renta, was an all-around success as the event marked a record-breaking $1.67 million to support Keep Tahoe Blue’s mission of preserving Lake Tahoe. 

First created in 1969, the Keep Tahoe Blue Fashion Show started with only 100 guests. Bill Blass, the original designer for the Fashion Show, made an iconic appearance on Rubicon Beach.

“They threw down plywood right onto the beach and Bill Blass presented his collection, barefoot, with just a handful of models,” said Kristin Keane, Major Gifts Officer for Keep Tahoe Blue. “People were sitting at picnic tables with boxed lunches. It was very humble beginnings, very lowkey grassroots, and suffice it to say, it’s been growing ever since.”

Throughout its 57 years, the Fashion Show has been presented all around the lake, from the West Shore to this year’s Incline Village, while expanding to become Keep Tahoe Blue’s largest fundraising event of the year. 

“We welcomed, this year, around 470 guests,” said Keane, who noted that at the event’s peak prior to COVID-19, the Fashion Show had up to 640 guests present.

In 1999, Blass handed his designer reins to the legendary Oscar de La Renta to carry on Blass’ multigenerational tradition. Following de la Renta’s passing in 2014, Alex Bolen, CEO of the Oscar de la Renta brand, has continued to support the event to this day. 

“Donations from private individuals are the vast majority of where we get our funding and financial support, and that allows us to respond to whatever the threat is that pops up at that time,” said Chris Joseph, Communications Director at Keep Tahoe Blue. “We have the ability to be nimble, but also try new things.” 

Currently, with the looming threat of invasive species like golden mussels, which made appearances on intercepted boats in both 2025 and this year, Keep Tahoe Blue can utilize these funds to continue prevention efforts. 

“It’s kind of like a superpower,” Joseph added, “the donations from private individuals that come from events like these.” 

Joseph expressed that among his favorite highlights of the event, the change of pace from their day-to-day, lake-focused volunteer efforts to a full blown fashion show is always a treat to witness. 

This year’s Oscar de la Renta Pre-Spring 2027 Collection featured chic, soft florals and vibrant, garden-inspired colors and designs – all with the shimmering, turquoise-blue waters of Lake Tahoe as a backdrop. 

Records were shattered as the event accumulated a staggering $1.67 million in funds raised, totaling $30 million raised for Lake Tahoe conservation since the Fashion Show’s inception in 1969. 

“Each year, our goal is to have as much positive impact for the lake as possible,” Keane said. “We partner with different corporate partners who can have a big impact, too, and that’s another way for us to generate more funding for the lake.” 

In addition to the organization’s partnership with Oscar de la Renta, Keep Tahoe Blue’s sponsorships and collaborations this year included Bentley Motors and Arc Boats, along with brands such as Freya, Cicada Jewelry, True Wander Travel, Bridget Giroux Design, and Team Blair Tahoe. 

Raffle and auction prizes featured Oscar de la Renta and Edgewood Tahoe Resort gift certificates, an alligator bag by Leffler Leather Goods, an Eric Zener art print and a season subscription to the San Francisco Ballet paired with a stay at The Huntington Hotel. 

A special tribute was also given to Fashion Committee member Barbara Brown, a long-standing Lake Tahoe Local whose 20 years of service was recognized at this year’s show, marking her final year as a committee member. 

“This year, seeing tables of guests with grandmother, daughter, granddaughter – the families and individuals that keep coming back to support Keep Tahoe Blue through this event, I think it really speaks to the faith that they have in our organization to do good over the long-term,” Joseph said. “A lot of the problems facing Tahoe are not things that are solvable in a year or two. Sometimes, they take 10 to 15 years and it’s cool that they give us the support to stick with it and see those problems through to the solution.”

To learn more about Keep Tahoe Blue or ways to get involved, visit keeptahoeblue.org.