08/05/2025
Love being a sponsor to this great event!
Kent Wynder we better seem some clean lines with that new mower 🙌🏼
It’s been a few days since the 2025 Home Run Derby, and we are still smiling just thinking about it. What an incredible night!
Eight years ago, we set out with one goal: to create a community event that everyone could enjoy. And here we are—what started as a small idea has become a midsummer tradition in our town. Families gather, kids run barefoot through the grass, grandparents catch up under the summer sky, and we all get to cheer on athletes doing what they do best. It’s a “must-schedule” event—and the 2025 Derby did not disappoint!
This year had everything:
– Elite batting performances
– Hilarious crowd games
– Jodi Atwood Grassroots Realty Group South legendary Grassroots Dance-Off
– And, of course, bananas. Literal bananas.
A huge thanks to No Frills for joining the EPIC family as a new Youth Center sponsor and launching a wild new tradition: the No Frills Banana Toss! Hundreds gave it their best monkey impersonation, but only one came out on top—congrats to Jarom Phillips, our very first Banana Toss Champion!
Then came another instant classic: Cardston’s first Grandpa Race, proudly presented by Gemstone Lights. Let’s just say the bases have never seen that much gray hair or that much speed! We all cheered as Jamie Judd raced his way into the history books.
And how about the BlackcardConstruction Blast Zone in straightaway centerfield? Every time a ball cleared the fence there, fans went wild—with prizes flying and energy through the roof. Huge thanks to Blackcard for making that kind of fun possible!
Now, to our softball sluggers—the heart of the Derby:
Thank you to Derek Redford, Brody Wynder, Hadyn Johansen, Jordan Slarks, Kent Wynder, Rylan Schaffer, and Ty Schaffer. These seven men stepped up, took the challenge, and left us speechless with their power at the plate. For the second year in a row, Kent Wynder took home the Money Round title, sponsored by Cardston Home Hardware Building Centre.
In the final drama-filled showdown, Ty Schaffer edged out his own dad to tie him—each now holding THREE championships.
At its core, the Home Run Derby is more than just a night of fun—it’s a critical fundraiser for EPIC Youth Services, and a celebration of everything our community stands for. From our major sponsors, to the smallest pledges and donations, we are overwhelmed with gratitude.
We love where we live.
We believe in our youth.
We know what’s possible when a community comes together.
EPIC was built on that belief—Empowering People and Inspiring Change—and you all showed exactly what that looks like. Already counting down the days ‘til next year’s Derby. See you there! 🥎
