Parks and recreation earns VACo award for 2025 flag football tournament

Made possible by a strong partnership with the Orange County High School Football team and the efforts of volunteer coaches at Gordon-Barbour Elementary School, Orange Elementary School, Lightfoot Elementary School, and Locust Grove Elementary School, the event included a week of practices followed by a Saturday tournament hosted at Porterfield Park. Eighty-five participants registered to play in less than a month. In fact, interest was so great for the inaugural program organizers had to create separate fourth and fifth grade divisions, and each school was able to field a team for each grade.

“We are thrilled this program brought so much excitement and joy to the community,” said Jenny Carpenter, Assistant Orange County Administrator. “The foundational success of the 2025 program helped foster even greater participation this year. We look forward to continuing, and expanding, partnerships to help make additional activities like this possible,” she added.

“Virginia’s counties continue to demonstrate that local government is where innovation meets action,” VACo Executive Director Dean Lynch said. “This year’s submissions reflect the creativity, leadership, and commitment county officials bring every day to solving real challenges and improving the quality of life for residents across the Commonwealth. Congratulations to all winners and thank you to all who participated.” More information about award-winning programs is available at www.vaco.org/county-connections/virginia-counties-recognized-for-model-programs-3/.