Watch out for the Granny Globetrotters!

United Way of Jasper County is hosting an event that has been described as the “Harlem Globetrotters but with granny basketball players.”

The second annual Granny All-Star Basketball game starts on Nov. 2 inside the gymnasium of Newton High School and features a team of grannies taking on celebrity guests. Oh! You think gridiron football player and coach Kahlil Carter and “Big Brother” contestant and rodeo clown Jason Dent will take home a win?

Well, not if the grannies have any say about it. Jessica Lowe Vokes, executive director of the United Way of Jasper County, said the first all-star game was a big success last year. Hundreds of people flocked to the gym to participate. When the grannies approached Lowe Vokes to do it again, she didn’t hesitate.

“I said, ‘Absolutely!’ It was such a fun night to come out,” Lowe Vokes said. “The grannies are great. They come from all over Iowa. The base group is the Granny Mustangs and they just won a tournament this summer in their league. So they’re coming off a fun summer season. It’s just fun!”

Special guests of the game include: Carson King, Alex Modlin, Dawn Bleeker and Joy the Mini-Pig, Jacob Halferty with Marshall the fire dog, Steph Johnson, Steph Langstraat, Sarah Patterson, Becca Decker and Scott Pritchard. Lowe Vokes said the game is a fun night for the community.

In addition to the game, there will be a raffle and pie auction and a pre-game chili feed hosted by the Newton High School wrestling team. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the chili feed will start soon after. Dinner is $10 per person and includes chili, a cinnamon roll and a drink.

Admission to the game is $5 per adult. Kids ages 12 and under can enter free.

“I hope people come and have fun with their families, and I hope they realize the United Way is about community and uniting us,” Lowe Vokes said. “We’re working to raise money to help people have their best lives, like access to food and education and health care. This is a nice night to come together and help our neighbors.”