NORWICH – East Main Street in Norwich was closed down at 8 a.m. today to prepare for the Gus Macker 3-on-3 basketball tournament that will officially kick off Saturday morning.

More than 30 basketball courts will be set up along East Main Street, setting the stage for the 427 teams and 1708 players who will begin tournament play on Saturday. Players of all ages will travel to Norwich this weekend to participate in the YMCA’s 13th Gus Macker Tournament.

Team Registration will begin tonight at 4 p.m. and go until 8, and like last year, registration will be held at the City of Norwich Firehouse. Last year registration was held at the Fire Department because the YMCA was undergoing renovations. However, the set up worked so well that when the Fire Department offered their facility again this year, the Y was glad to accept. Tournament Director Tom Revoir said having registration at the Fire Department is helpful because of the close proximity to the courts. “This way it’s easier for teams to go practice on the courts after they register,” he said.

Tonight’s activities will also include registration and competition for the women’s three point shoot out, sponsored by Caputo Bros. In addition, the Norwich City Band will hold the first performance of their concert series at 7 p.m. in West Park, and concession stands in the park will open at 5. Beginning tonight, the Catholic Charities Food Pantry truck will also be accepting financial donations and non-perishable food items in East Side Park.

Registration will be held again from 7 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, and the tournament will kick off at 8 a.m. with opening ceremonies. Kaitlyn and John Jackson will perform a duet, singing the National Anthem and God Bless the USA, and Pastor Brian Conover will do the invocation before the first games begin at 8:30 a.m. The games will continue on Sunday morning beginning at 8 a.m.