Free Community Event: Summer Slugfest at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park

Ellanor C. Lawrence Park Friends is proud to present the inaugural Summer Slugfest, a charity softball game uniting alumni from two legendary local youth sports organizations for an afternoon of friendly competition, community spirit, and charitable impact.

The six-inning game will take place on Saturday, July 25, 2026, from 12 to 3 pm at the softball fields at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park (5000 Stonecroft Blvd, Chantilly, VA 20151). The event features alumni players (ages 21 and over) from the Chantilly Youth Association (CYA) and the Southwestern Youth Association (SYA) competing for the 2026 Slugfest Cup.

The free public event will feature:

• An alumni softball game between former CYA and SYA players
• Food trucks featuring gourmet hot dogs and cool summer treats 
• Giveaways, merchandise, and a 50/50 raffle
• Family fun and community engagement
• Live on-field broadcast from CYA’s The Sideline podcast

“Summer Slugfest is exactly what youth sports should be about—community, connection, and giving back,” says SYA CEO Gary Flather. “We’re excited to see former players come together again, represent SYA, and support opportunities for kids and families throughout our area and through ECLP.”

Organizers say the event is about giving back to the next generation and shining a light on all that Ellanor C. Lawrence Park offers—over 650 acres of sports fields, trails, historic Cabell’s Mill and Walney Visitor Center, plus the Woodlands Stewardship Education Center and more.

Proceeds from donations, raffles, and merchandise sales at the Summer Slugfest will support scholarships, summer camps, school field trips, and educational programming through local nonprofit Ellanor C. Lawrence Park (ECLP) Friends, helping underserved children access outdoor recreation and learning opportunities.

“With the Summer Slugfest, we hope to get more young adults out enjoying ECLP,” said Friends volunteer and Slugfest organizer Zach Velis. “Funds raised will provide more scholarships for park programs. We grew up attending ECLP camps and playing youth sports—we want every child to enjoy the same opportunities.”

Summer Slugfest is a free, family-friendly event open to the public, with players registering through either CYA or SYA. Community members are encouraged to dig out their purple or red gear and come cheer on their favorite team as local alumni take the field for a great cause.

“The Slugfest is about more than winning a trophy,” added CYA Executive Director Mark Abbott. “It’s about reconnecting alumni, celebrating our shared history in youth sports, and investing back into a park that serves as an educational and recreational resource for the entire community.”

To learn more or to register as a Summer Slugfest player for either CYA or SYA, visit ECLP Friends.

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About Ellanor C. Lawrence Park Friends

Ellanor C. Lawrence Park Friends is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, 100% volunteer organization dedicated to supporting park initiatives and activities that help protect and preserve our park—and our planet. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Visit www.eclpfriends.org and subscribe to learn more, donate and get involved.