This year, Manager Oiwa, Coach Yanagisawa, Coach Hada, GK Coach Sato, Physical Coach Satouchi, and C.R.O. Nakata represented the team. Nameri Micot, the mascot character of Namegata City, and Shikao, as well as Yakiemon, the baked sweet potato fairy, also appeared and livened up the event.
The planted seedlings are scheduled to appear as rice field art in the autumn.
In the morning, the owners planted sweet potato seedlings, and takoyaki from Dotonbori "Kukuru", curry with proud Namegata vegetables and Annou Kurobuta pork, and juicy bone-in sausages were served.
In the afternoon, the Antlers manager, coaches, and C.R.O. Nakata joined the owners in planting rice.
Even the children enjoyed planting rice, getting muddy in the process.
After rice planting, tug-of-war and "Daruma-san ga Koronda" (red light, green light) were held in the muddy rice fields.
In the first round of tug-of-war, the C.R.O. Nakata-led C.R.O. team, after a careful (?) pre-game strategy meeting, released the rope at the right moment, causing the enthusiastic and strained Hada team to fall into the mud, much to the amusement of the participants. C.R.O. Nakata sacrificed the first round of the best-of-three for a laugh.
GK Coach Sato, participating in this event for the first time, experienced "Daruma-san ga Koronda." He enjoyed it with C.R.O. Nakata, thanks to Manager Oiwa's fair (?) judgment.
At the end of the event, a lottery was held for sweet potatoes and products harvested at Namegata Farmers Village, as well as Antlers goods. Finally, Manager Oiwa gave a closing speech, and the event concluded.
A harvest festival is planned for the autumn. Become a sweet potato or rice owner and please join the event. For more details on sweet potato and rice owners, please visit the Namegata Farmers Village website.