IYAA Sports Night at McDonald’s® in Italy was “McFun” for all

Image: IYAA players and coaches celebrate with McDonald’s® staff — Kirby Nelson wins the bicycle raffle during IYAA Sports Night at McDonald’s in Italy. Back row: IYAA president Gary Wood, Justin Wood, Grimace™ (Keanan Brown), Brenda Smith and Jakiesha Williams. Middle row: John Byers, Bryce DeBorde, Bike raffle winner Kirby Nelson, Maria Balderas and IYAA vice president Barry Byers. Front: Gage Wafer.

IYAA players and coaches celebrate with McDonald’s® staff — Kirby Nelson wins the bicycle raffle during IYAA Sports Night at McDonald’s in Italy. Back row: IYAA president Gary Wood, Justin Wood, Grimace™ (Keanan Brown), Brenda Smith and Jakiesha Williams. Middle row: John Byers, Bryce DeBorde, Bike raffle winner Kirby Nelson, Maria Balderas and IYAA vice president Barry Byers. Front: Gage Wafer. (Barry Byers)

Image: Glad to help — Jason D. from Mississippi purchases a full bag of apple pies and chocolate chip cookies from McDonald’s employee Brenda Smith in an effort to support the IYAA of Italy.

Glad to help — Jason D. from Mississippi purchases a full bag of apple pies and chocolate chip cookies from McDonald’s employee Brenda Smith in an effort to support the IYAA of Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: Hey, Grimace! — Jamie Lopez and Brianna Perry are greeted by Grimace™ in front of the McDonald’s® in Italy during IYAA Sports Night on Wednesday.

Hey, Grimace! — Jamie Lopez and Brianna Perry are greeted by Grimace™ in front of the McDonald’s® in Italy during IYAA Sports Night on Wednesday. (Barry Byers)

Image: Purple crayons — Kirby Nelson and Karley Nelson work intensely on the Grimace coloring contest during IYAA Sports Night hosted by McDonald’s in Italy.

Purple crayons — Kirby Nelson and Karley Nelson work intensely on the Grimace coloring contest during IYAA Sports Night hosted by McDonald’s in Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: All In The Family — Mikey South, who recently earned a game ball, enjoys McDonald’s Happy Meals™ with his sisters Catie and Evie South, cousin Sydney Lowenthal and Aunt Nan.

All In The Family — Mikey South, who recently earned a game ball, enjoys McDonald’s Happy Meals™ with his sisters Catie and Evie South, cousin Sydney Lowenthal and Aunt Nan. (Barry Byers)

Image: Catie can color — Catie South did a perfect job coloring Grimace during IYAA Sports Night.

Catie can color — Catie South did a perfect job coloring Grimace during IYAA Sports Night. (Barry Byers)

Image: Sandra’s impressed — Sandra Davis is amazed at the raw talent of future IYAA little leaguer Elijah Davis.

Sandra’s impressed — Sandra Davis is amazed at the raw talent of future IYAA little leaguer Elijah Davis. (Barry Byers)

Image: Check this out! — The Grimace coloring contest brought out the competitive spirit of all the IYAA players.

Check this out! — The Grimace coloring contest brought out the competitive spirit of all the IYAA players. (Barry Byers)

Image: Team work — Mikey South, Evie South, Ken Norwood and Sydney Lowenthal color Grimace as a group.

Team work — Mikey South, Evie South, Ken Norwood and Sydney Lowenthal color Grimace as a group. (Barry Byers)

Image: So talented — Karley Nelson, Kendrick Norwood and Ken Norwood earn McDonald’s food coupons for their Grimace colorings.

So talented — Karley Nelson, Kendrick Norwood and Ken Norwood earn McDonald’s food coupons for their Grimace colorings. (Barry Byers)

Image: Cookie Contest time — De’Andre Sephus meditates before beginning the cookie eating contest.

Cookie Contest time — De’Andre Sephus meditates before beginning the cookie eating contest. (Barry Byers)

Image: Messy but fun — Kirby Nelson and Carlee Wafer display their chocolate covered faces after competing in the, no hands allowed, cookie eating contest.

Messy but fun — Kirby Nelson and Carlee Wafer display their chocolate covered faces after competing in the, no hands allowed, cookie eating contest. (Barry Byers)

Image: Bobby gets messy — Bobby Wilson proudly displays his empty plate after impressively winning the cookie eating contest.

Bobby gets messy — Bobby Wilson proudly displays his empty plate after impressively winning the cookie eating contest. (Barry Byers)

Image: Hannah and Grimace — Hannah Harris gets her picture taking with Grimace at McDonald’s in Italy during IYAA Sports Night.

Hannah and Grimace — Hannah Harris gets her picture taking with Grimace at McDonald’s in Italy during IYAA Sports Night. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gage & Bryce — Gage Wafer and Bryce DeBorde are ready to tackle the cookie eating contest.

Gage & Bryce — Gage Wafer and Bryce DeBorde are ready to tackle the cookie eating contest. (Barry Byers)

Image: The Cookie Kid — Kendrick Norwood has a mouthful of chocolate chip cookies during the cooking eating contest.

The Cookie Kid — Kendrick Norwood has a mouthful of chocolate chip cookies during the cooking eating contest. (Barry Byers)

Image: Go, Gage! — Gage Wafer dives right in and devours his three stack of chocolate chip cookies.

Go, Gage! — Gage Wafer dives right in and devours his three stack of chocolate chip cookies. (Barry Byers)

Image: Bryce…Breathe! — Bryce DeBorde tries to chomp down on some chocolate chips.

Bryce…Breathe! — Bryce DeBorde tries to chomp down on some chocolate chips. (Barry Byers)

Image: I need a drink — Kenneth Norwood cleans his plate to win one of the cookie eating contests.

I need a drink — Kenneth Norwood cleans his plate to win one of the cookie eating contests. (Barry Byers)

Image: The big moment — McDonald’s employee Maria Balderas holds the box while Gage Wafer draws the winner of the bike raffle. And the winner is, Kirby Nelson!

The big moment — McDonald’s employee Maria Balderas holds the box while Gage Wafer draws the winner of the bike raffle. And the winner is, Kirby Nelson! (Barry Byers)

Image: Whazzup! — IYAA players John Byers and Justin Wood hang with Grimace.

Whazzup! — IYAA players John Byers and Justin Wood hang with Grimace. (Barry Byers)

Image: Thanks, everybody! — Kendrick Norwood, Gared Wood and Kenneth Norwood help Grimace attract customers to the McDonald’s in Italy, helping to raise money for the IYAA (Italy Youth Athletic Association).

Thanks, everybody! — Kendrick Norwood, Gared Wood and Kenneth Norwood help Grimace attract customers to the McDonald’s in Italy, helping to raise money for the IYAA (Italy Youth Athletic Association). (Barry Byers)

Image: Thanks, Grimace! — Maria Balderas gives Grimace a hug for being a good sport during IYAA Sports Night. Keanan Brown was all smiles inside the Grimace costume.

Thanks, Grimace! — Maria Balderas gives Grimace a hug for being a good sport during IYAA Sports Night. Keanan Brown was all smiles inside the Grimace costume. (Barry Byers)

Return to story